UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Classic Cerebrospinal Fluid Characteristics

Category: Neurology

Keywords: csf, meningitis, lumbar puncture, subarachnoid hemorrhage, herpes simplex encephalitis (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/28/2010 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 10/30/2010)
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Classic Cerebrospinal Fluid Characteristics

  • Bacterial Meningitis >> Milky CSF with increased protein, decreased glucose, high WBC's, few RBC's, mildly increased opening pressure, normal % gamma globulin.
  • Viral Meningitis >> Cloudy CSF with increased protein, normal glucose, increased WBC's (lymphocyte predominant), no RBC's, normal opening pressure, normal % gamma globulin.
  • Herpes Simplex Encephalitis >>  Cloudy CSF with increased protein, normal glucose, increased WBC's (lymphocyte predominant), few RBC's, increased opening pressure, normal % gamma globulin.
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage >> Yellow CSF with increased protein, normal glucose, few WBC's, inumerable RBC's, mildly increased opening pressure, normal % gamma globulin.

References