CSF cell count

• 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 cell count

The normal white blood cells are between 0 and 5. The normal red blood cell count is 0.

An increase of white blood cells indicates infection, inflammation or bleeding into the cerebrospinal fluid. Some causes include:

• meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spine)
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain substance itself)
• acute infection
• tumor
• abscess
• infarct
• multiple sclerosis
• hemorrhage

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:

• arteriovenous malformation (cerebral)
• cerebral aneurysm
• delirium
• dementia
• epilepsy
• Guillain-Barre
• hemorrhagic stroke
• neurosyphilis
• primary lymphoma of the brain
• spinal tumor
• stroke secondary to syphilis
• syphilitic aseptic meningitis
• syphilitic myelopathy

Review Date: 04/28/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.