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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology: current status and diagnostic applications
1Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology aids in diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review covers common conditions, diagnostic methods, and cytologic features for effective interpretation of CSF samples.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cytopathology
Background:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology is crucial for diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
- Accurate interpretation demands knowledge of neurologic diseases affecting the subarachnoid space and their cytologic features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical features and cytologic presentation of common CNS conditions diagnosable via CSF cytology.
- To discuss preparatory methods for CSF examination.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical features and cytologic findings for various CNS conditions.
- Description of normal and reactive CSF findings.
- Illustration of neoplastic and metastatic conditions.
Main Results:
- CSF cytology effectively diagnoses a range of CNS disorders.
- Common conditions reviewed include lymphoma, leukemia, meningeal carcinomatosis, and primary brain tumors with subarachnoid spread.
- Normal and reactive cellular changes in CSF are also described.
Conclusions:
- CSF cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool for CNS diseases.
- Familiarity with cytologic characteristics and disease spectrum is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- This review provides a guide to common CSF cytologic findings in neurologic conditions.