what is the significance of the change in the csf glucose during the patient's hospital course

by Laney Kris 4 min read

A normal CSF glucose level is about two-thirds or more of the blood sugar level. If your CSF glucose falls within this range, it can help your doctor to eliminate certain conditions. Low glucose in CSF results from the presence of cells that usually aren’t there, a sign you have an illness that needs further investigation.

Full Answer

What is the turnaround time for a CSF glucose test?

The assays are run throughout the day and night in the Gloucester laboratory. The expected in-lab turnaround time should be less than one hour. The test can be ordered as an urgent request. CSF glucose is normally >70% of the plasma glucose levels.

What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose test?

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, present in the fluid. CSF is a clear liquid that cushions and surrounds the brain and spinal cord, which make up your central nervous system (CNS). The fluid delivers nutrients to and carries waste away from the brain and spinal cord.

What is the normal CSF glucose level?

The test can be ordered as an urgent request. CSF glucose is normally >70% of the plasma glucose levels.

What causes CSF levels to be lower than blood levels?

There may be a 2–4 hour lag in the CSF level when compared to the blood level. Whilst not diagnostic, low glucose levels, as compared to plasma levels, are seen in bacterial meningitis, cryptococcal meningitis, malignant involvement of the meninges and sarcoidosis.

What is the significance of the CSF glucose in this patient?

A CSF glucose test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that flows in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid to check for the presence of disease or injury.

What is the clinical significance of CSF analysis?

What is it used for? A CSF analysis may include tests to diagnose: Infectious diseases of the brain and spinal cord, including meningitis and encephalitis. CSF tests for infections look at white blood cells, bacteria, and other substances in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Why does glucose increase in CSF?

High CSF glucose levels In addition, damage to small blood vessels during lumbar puncture (traumatic tap) can lead to an increased CSF glucose since the blood that enters the collected CSF sample contains higher levels of glucose.

What causes increase and decrease in CSF glucose levels?

Chemical meningitis, inflammatory conditions, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and hypoglycemia also cause hypoglycorrhachia (low glucose level in CSF). Elevated levels of glucose in the blood is the only cause of having an elevated CSF glucose level.

What is the normal glucose level of cerebrospinal fluid CSF?

Normal Results The glucose level in the CSF should be 50 to 80 mg/100 mL (or greater than 2/3 of the blood sugar level). Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

What is the purpose of CSF?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, shown in blue) is made by tissue that lines the ventricles (hollow spaces) in the brain. It flows in and around the brain and spinal cord to help cushion them from injury and provide nutrients.

What if glucose is low in CSF?

Hypoglycorrhachia, or a low glucose level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can suggest bacterial, fungal, or tuberculous meningitis.

Why does glucose decrease in CSF meningitis?

The reason for the reduced glucose levels associated with bacterial meningitis was believed to be the need for glucose as fuel by infiltrating immune cells in response to infection. However, the possibility that the bacteria itself could manipulate glucose concentrations in the brain had not been explored before now.

What is a CSF glucose test?

What is the CSF glucose test? The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, present in the fluid. CSF is a clear liquid that cushions and surrounds the brain and spinal cord, which make up your central nervous system (CNS). The fluid delivers nutrients to and carries waste away from the brain and spinal cord.

Why do we need to test for CSF?

Although obtaining a spinal fluid sample is difficult, testing a CSF sample is one of the best ways to diagnose these conditions because CSF is in direct contact with the brain and spine.

What is high CSF pressure?

High CSF pressure can be a sign of certain conditions and diseases, including: meningitis, which is inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain. tumors.

Why is my CSF low?

Infections, especially bacterial infections, and tumors are the most common causes of low CSF glucose levels. Cells that aren’t usually present in your CSF, such as bacteria, cells produced by tumors, or white blood cells present to fight inflammation, can metabolize, or digest, the glucose.

What is the most common method of collecting cerebral spinal fluid?

The most common method of collecting cerebral spinal fluid is a lumbar puncture, sometimes called a spinal tap or a glucose measurement of cerebrospinal fluid.

How long do you have to lie down after a CSF test?

You must remain lying down for about an hour to avoid a headache, which is a common side effect of the procedure. Rarely, if you have a back deformity, infection, or possible brain herniation, which is when structures of the brain have shifted out of place, it’s necessary to use more invasive CSF collection methods.

What is the purpose of a spine curve?

Curving your spine helps your doctor to find the correct space to insert a thin spinal needle between the bones in your lower back. These bones are called vertebrae. Sometimes, fluoroscopy, which is a type of X-ray, can help your doctor guide the needle safely between the vertebrae.

What is the normal glucose level in CSF?

The glucose level in the CSF should be 50 to 80 mg/100 mL (or greater than 2/3 of the blood sugar level). Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What is a CSF test?

Share. A CSF glucose test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a clear fluid that flows in the space surrounding the spinal cord and brain. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid to check for the presence of disease or injury.

What is the most common way to collect CSF?

A sample of CSF is needed. A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, is the most common way to collect this sample. Other methods for collecting CSF are rarely used, but may be recommended in some cases. They include: Cisternal puncture. Ventricular puncture.

Why Is a CSF Glucose Test Done?

The CSF glucose test can be useful when checking for spinal cord or brain infections such as meningitis, because people with these infections have low glucose in their cerebrospinal fluid. Your doctor may order this test if you show these symptoms:

What Health Conditions Can a CSF Glucose Test Diagnose?

Besides meningitis, other conditions that a glucose test may help diagnose include:

How Is a CSF Glucose Test Done?

The most common way to check the glucose in your cerebrospinal fluid is by performing a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap. In some cases, your doctor can also do a glucose CSF by other methods, including:

What Do CSF Glucose Test Results Mean?

A normal CSF glucose level is about two-thirds or more of the blood sugar level. If your CSF glucose falls within this range, it can help your doctor to eliminate certain conditions. Low glucose in CSF results from the presence of cells that usually aren’t there, a sign you have an illness that needs further investigation.

Does this test have other names?

Glucose CSF. This test is usually part of a test called cerebrospinal fluid analysis.

What is this test?

This test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. People with serious infections of the brain or spinal cord usually have lower glucose levels in their CSF than healthy people do.

Why do I need this test?

You may need this test if you have symptoms of a possible brain or central nervous system infection, such as meningitis. These include:

What other tests might I have along with this test?

Your healthcare provider may also order other tests on the CSF sample, depending on what condition you have. These tests include:

What do my test results mean?

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.

How is the test done?

This test needs a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid. Your healthcare provider will take the sample through a lumbar puncture, using a thin needle. The needle will be placed into your lower back, and fluid will be removed.

How do I prepare for the test?

Just before the test, you may be asked to empty your bladder. You will then be placed into a certain position so that your healthcare provider can more easily get the CSF sample.

What is the normal glucose level in CSF?

Normal levels of glucose in the CSF are greater than 50 mg/dL to 80 mg/dL, or 2.8 mmol/L to 4.4 mmol/L. If your levels are lower, you may have an infection. Your healthcare provider will look at your CSF glucose level along with the other CSF tests, and possibly other tests, to better understand what your results mean.

Why is CSF count high?

CSF leukocyte, or white blood cell, count. It's usually high if you have an infection. Other CSF tests to check for specific infections. For example, the sample may be tested for tuberculosis, syphilis, or infections from parasites. Blood culture. A sample of blood is grown to check for microorganisms.

What is a glucose test?

What is this test? This test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. People with serious infections of the brain or spinal cord usually have lower glucose levels in their CSF than healthy people do.

What happens when you are sick?

This is called the blood-brain barrier. But when you're sick, this blood-brain barrier can become leaky, allowing bacteria and other substances to pass through. Bacteria, viruses, and other germs can then reach your spinal cord and brain, which could cause brain swelling and nervous system infection.

Why is CSF analysis important?

Hence analysis of CSF by various methods will help in diagnosis as well as prognostication and response to therapy . CSF analysis is particularly useful in various acute neurological conditions and helps in rapid diagnosis of the conditions and initiate therapeutic measures .

How much CSF is produced in a day?

CSF is produced at a rate of 0.2–0.7 mL per minute or 500–700 mL per day.1The main function of the CSF is to reduce buoyancy of the brain. It also supplies nutrients as well as helps in removal of various substances like amino acids, neurotransmitters, metabolic byproducts and cells.

What is cerebral fluid?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid circulating in the intracranial and spinal compartments. Under normal conditions, the composition of CSF remains constant. However, in various neurological disease especially in acute conditions, the composition, quantity and its pressure can be altered. By measuring the levels ...

How long after SAH can you do a CT?

CT is considered to be highly sensitive upto 5 days after the SAH. Lumbar puncture is a useful diagnostic test in these cases and is usually done 12 hours after onset of symptoms. LP is indicated if there is high clinical suspicion of SAH, but negative CT. LP is usually done after few hours.

Where is cerebral fluid secreted?

CSF is present in both the intracranial and spinal compartments. It is continuously being secreted by the choroid plexus at a constant rate inside the ventricles of the brain and circulates in the subarachnoid space of the brain ...

Why is miR-218 depletion in ALS?

Micro RNA (miR), miR-218 depletion in ALS spinal cord tissue is likely due to motor neurons loss because miR-218 levels are mostly maintained within the surviving motor neurons. miR-218 release is related to motor neurons dysfunction and death and occurs in both animal and human models of motor neurons loss and disease.18.

Can a manometer be used to measure CSF?

A manometer can be connected if CSF opening pressure measurement is planned. Color of CSF is noted and if blood stained due to traumatic puncture, it may be needed to wait for the blood to be cleared before samples are collected. Samples are usually collected in three to four test tubes each of 3–5 mL CSF for analysis.

What happens to the red blood cells in the CSF?

Within several hours, the red blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid are destroyed, releasing their oxygen-carrying molecule heme , which is metabolized by enzymes to bilirubin, a yellow pigment.

What is the purpose of Part One of our two part special on diabetes?

Part one of our two part special on diabetes focuses on the firsthand experience of a patient living with diabetes. We discuss what it is like to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and to live with and manage the condition day-to-day. We hope that this episode will be useful for students, medical professionals, and anyone who wants to understand more about the challenges of managing this condition. Guest: Ashwin Bali

Is CSF PCR useful for meningitis?

The CSF findings are more suggestive of viral meningitis given the clear appearance of the CSF, the mildly raised WCC (consisting mainly of lymphocytes), raised protein level and normal glucose. Further investigations including CSF PCR would be useful in identifying the specific causative virus.