Interpret the following results: -Specimen: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
-Tubes sent: 1-4
-Tube 1 RBC count: 30,000/ul
-Tube 2 RBC count: 1500/ul
-Tube 3 RBC count: 200/ul
-Tube 4 RBC count: 4/ul
-Gross examination:
-Tube 1: moderate hemolysis, clear
-Tube 2: slight hemolysis, clear
-Tube 3: no hemolysis, clear
-Tube 4: no hemolysis, clear
-Xanthochromia: absent in all four tubes
-Microscopic findings:
-Many intact RBCs
-0-5 neutrophils
-0-5 lymphocytes
-0-5 MNCs
What do the data above most likely represent?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data suggests that there was traumatic specimen collection since the RBC counts decrease in subsequent tubes and there is no xanthochromia present. The absence of significant inflammatory cells and bacterial contamination suggest that there is not currently an infection in the CSF. The presence of intact RBCs in all tubes and lack of significant increase in leukocytes makes it less likely that there is a cerebral hemorrhage or infection.

Interpret the Following Results: -Specimen: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)