CSF - Analysis with Cytology Test

A clear, watery fluid that flows around spinal cord and brain and helps in providing protection to them is known as cerebrospinal fluid or CSF. And the test required checking the CSF is known as cytology. The cytology is a method of analysis or tests which evaluates the substance of CSF and help in diagnosing the conditions affecting the brain and the central nervous system. Choroid plexus is a special tissue that has many blood vessels helps in forming the CSF and also in secreting it. Its rate of production gives us an idea that CSF is replaced every hour in our body.

The sample of CSF is little difficult to obtain than the urine or blood sample as it is directly related to the cause of central nervous system. Spinal tap or lumbar puncture is the method used by the lab technician to collect the sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back of the patient. Three or more separate sample of fluid is required for the multiple tests to be run on different samples. The person being tested should have their bladder and bowels completely emptied prior to the sample collection. It is necessary to lie still in fetal position during the collection of the fluid and to lie flat and still for a time period after the collection of the fluid.

Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF analysis is used to diagnosis a wide variety of conditions and disease affecting the brain and the central nervous system. Disease such meningitis and encephalitis which are infectious can be diagnosed using the CSF cytology diagnostic. Bleeding within the brain or skull is also diagnosed using the fluid. Apart from all these, it is also helpful in locating the tumors within the central nervous system.

CSF cytology is usually performed along with CSF microbiology and biochemistry tests. The processes for the collection of CSF sample for sending it to the laboratory are as follows:
• Put aliquot of cytology in a clean container and along with it fill the cytology diagnostic form for the patient.
• All the necessary clinical information should be provided on the request form which clarifies the indications for CSE examination.
• History of patient’s relevant foreign travel should also be mentioned on the request form.
• To ensure best results send the sample to the laboratory within 2-3 hours of collections. And the sample should be of minimum 2-3 MLS.