Affiliation:
1. Department of Lab Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
Abstract
Routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination bears re-visiting as the body of knowledge has expanded and numerous new analytes touted as potential markers of CNS (central nervous system) diseases have emerged. Currently, visual assessment of CSF, microscopic examination for pathologic cells, and biochemical analysis for protein and glucose form the basis for routine CSF analysis. Further investigations that may be warranted include microbiology work-ups for CNS infections and immuno-detection for oligoclonal bands for multiple sclerosis. European guidelines for CSF analyses are available. CSF testing for other neurologic disorders (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) while promising are not ready for prime time.