CSF VDRL test

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X

CSF test for syphilis

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory slide test - CSF

• Risks of lumbar puncture include:
  • Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the anesthetic
  • Discomfort during the test
  • Headache after the test
  • Bleeding into the spinal canal
  • Brain herniation (if performed on a person with increased intracranial pressure) which may result in brain damage or death
  • Damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots

Since the CSF VDRL test can have false negative results, additional tests such as protein levels and white blood cell counts may be done on the spinal fluid to diagnose neurosyphilis.

Review Date: 06/10/2005
Reviewed By: Eleftherios Mylonakis, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.