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Cerebrospinal fluid cytology: an 11-year experience with 5951 specimens
1Department of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|February 3, 1998
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology revealed rare infections in children but common Cryptococcus in adults. Primary brain tumors were more frequent in pediatric CSF, while adults showed more metastatic cancers.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Cytology
Background:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is crucial for diagnosing various neurological conditions.
- Cytological examination of CSF aids in identifying infectious agents and neoplastic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology results from a single institution over an 11-year period.
- To analyze the spectrum of diagnoses in adult and pediatric CSF specimens.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 5951 CSF specimens collected between 1985 and 1995.
- Separate evaluation of pediatric (<19 years) and adult CSF samples.
Main Results:
- Malignant cells were detected in 5% of adult and 8% of pediatric CSF specimens.
- In adults, metastatic tumors (51%) and lymphoma/leukemia (41%) were most common; in children, primary CNS neoplasms (87%), particularly medulloblastoma, predominated.
- Infectious organisms were identified in 26 adult (most commonly Cryptococcus) and one pediatric case.
Conclusions:
- Infectious agents are rarely found in pediatric CSF, with Cryptococcus being the most common in adults.
- Primary CNS neoplasms represent a larger proportion of pediatric CSF diagnoses compared to adults.
- Metastatic neoplasms are the most frequent malignancy in adult CSF, contrasting with medulloblastoma in children.