CSF Cell Count
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What do Abnormal Results Mean?
An increase of white blood cells indicates infection, inflammation or bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. Some causes include:
The finding of red blood cells may indicate a hemorrhage. However, red blood cells in the CSF may also be due to a traumatic spinal tap which can happen if the spinal tap needle hits a blood vessel while entering the skin or dura. It is important to see if the red blood cell count clears in samples taken later in the procedure as opposed to earlier. A ratio of the red blood cells to the white blood cells is also calculated to help with diagnosis.
Additional conditions which this test may help diagnose include:
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