ag Your fresh start in 2026: A cure for many resolutions – now with a 15% early bird discount! ag ag Your fresh start in 2026: A cure for many resolutions – now with a 15% early bird discount! ag X
Go to homepage
€0.00
artgerecht Home Home

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis - significance, procedure and informative value of the examination of the cerebrospinal fluid

CSF analysis is an important diagnostic procedure for recognising diseases of the central nervous system. Find out more about the procedure, indications and typical laboratory values

Interested in regular tips & information about health? Interested in regular tips & information about health?
Lexicon: C
Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Start Page | Table of Contents
Lexicon Navigation
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Start Page Table of Contents

Wissenswertes über "Cerebrospinal fluid analysis"

CSF analysis is an important diagnostic procedure for recognising diseases of the central nervous system. Find out more about the procedure, indications and typical laboratory values

The liquor analysis is a diagnostic examination of the liquor cerebrospinalis (also known as cerebrospinal fluid): nervous fluid or cerebrospinal fluid). It is used to assess diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as inflammations, infections, haemorrhages, neurodegenerative or autoimmune diseases. The cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord and fulfils important functions such as protection, transport of substances and pressure regulation.

.

When is a CSF analysis useful?

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is used for the following clinical questions:

  • Suspicion of meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) or encephalitis

  • Multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases

  • Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob)

  • Haemorrhages in the subarachnoid space

  • Suspected tumour in the CNS or meningeosis carcinomatosa

  • Clarification of unclear neurological symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, seizures, paralysis)

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is also becoming increasingly important in research into biomarker-based early diagnoses, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Procedure of the examination

The lumbar puncture is usually performed in the area of the lumbar spine (between L3/L4 or L4/L5):

  • The patient is sitting or lying on their side

  • A fine puncture needle is inserted into the cerebrospinal fluid space (subarachnoid space)

  • In most cases, 5-15 ml of CSF is removed

The procedure is usually low-risk, but can lead to headaches or back pain in the short term.

What is analysed in the cerebrospinal fluid?

The laboratory analysis includes, depending on the question:

  • Cell count and cell differentiation (e.g. increased in inflammation)

  • Total protein and albumin quotient to assess the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier

  • Glucose and lactate concentration (e.g. altered in bacterial infections)

  • Specific antibodies (e.g. in multiple sclerosis: oligoclonal bands)

  • Pathogen detection (PCR, culture, antigen tests) in case of suspected infection

  • Biomarkers such as β-amyloid, tau protein, phosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's

Informative value

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis provides important indications of inflammatory, infectious or neurodegenerative processes in the brain or spinal cord. In many cases, it can contribute to early diagnosis or confirm differential diagnoses

.

Example: In Alzheimer's, the analysis typically shows:

  • Low β-amyloid 1-42

  • Increased total tau and phosphorylated tau
    The detection of multiple sclerosis can also be diagnostic in oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid

    .

Literature references:

  • Rauer, S. et al. (2018). "Guideline on cerebrospinal fluid diagnostics." German Society of Neurology (DGN)

  • Tumani, H. et al. (2017). "The cerebrospinal fluid - a window to the brain." Deutsches Ärzteblatt

  • Robert Koch Institute (2023). "Pathogen detection in cerebrospinal fluid - laboratory and reporting obligations."

Die neusten Einträge

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category

PHGG

PHGG steht für Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, ein teilweise hydrolysiertes Guarkernmehl, das als löslicher Ballaststoff in der Ernährungstherapie eingesetzt wird.
Read more

German Association of Occupational Therapy

Der DVE (Deutsche Verband der Ergotherapie e.V.) ist die zentrale Fach- und Interessenvertretung der Ergotherapeuten in Deutschland.
Read more

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms

Der Reizdarm (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS) ist eine der häufigsten funktionellen Magen-Darm-Erkrankungen.
Read more

Die meistgelesenen Einträge

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category

Magnesiumcarbonat

Magnesiumcarbonat ist eine anorganische Magnesiumverbindung mit säure-neutralisierender (antazidischer)   Wirkung. Erfahre mehr über Vorteile, Einsatzgebiete und Unterschiede zu besser resorbierbaren Magnesiumformen.
Read more

Cologne list

The Cologne List ® is an important initiative in competitive sports that offers athletes guidance in the selection of nutritional supplements.
Read more

Calorie content

The choice of food influences our energy intake. The calorie content varies greatly - some provide little energy, others a lot.
Read more

Verwandte Suchbegriffe: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis + CSF analysis

COOKIE SETTINGS

We use cookies to make it easier for you to use the website and to improve our products. You decide which cookies you accept or reject. You can change your decision at any time in the website settings.