CSF cell count

Introduction

see CSF analysis

Reference interval

• 0-5 cells/uL (adults)
• 0-30 cells/uL, 0-12 cells/uL (neonates)
• differential
  • lymphocytes 62% +/- 34%
  • monocytes 36% +/- 20%
  • neutrophils 2% +/- 5%

Clinical significance

• 500-10,000/mm3 with predominance of neutrophils in bacterial meningitis
• 10-500/mm3 with predominance of lymphocytes in tuberculous meningitis or fungal meningitis
• > 6 lymphocytes/mm3 in viral meningitis
• 10-500/mm3 with predominance of lymphocytes in meningeal carcinomatosis
• 1000-3,500,000/mm3 RBCs with RBC:WBC ratio higher than peripheral blood in subarachnoid hemorrhage
• fewer RBC in collection tube 4 than collection tube 1 in traumatic tap
• 0-20 lymphocytes/mm3 in multiple sclerosis
• < 5 mononuclear cells/mm3 (normal pattern) in Guillain-Barre & pseudotumor cerebri

Specimen

• tube # 3 of CSF analysis

More general terms

• cell count
• cerebrospinal fluid analysis
• hematology panel

More specific terms

• ependymal+choroid plexus cells in CSF
• erythrocytes in CSF
• leukocytes in CSF

Component of

• cerebrospinal fluid analysis

Components

• neutrophils in CSF
• lymphocytes in CSF