CAP Pro Course - Urinalysis - Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

Continuing Education Credits

• P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)
• Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours -
  General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)

Objectives

• Describe the appearance of normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and list causes of abnormal CSF color and clarity.
• List diagnostic reasons for hematologic testing of CSF and describe CSF handling procedures that will provide quality specimens to ensure proper patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Describe methods for obtaining accurate RBC and nucleated cell counts in CSF.
• Describe slide preparation and staining techniques necessary to obtain optimal microscopic cellular morphology and list possible causes of artifact.
• Identify cell types and microscopic structures seen in CSF and associate abnormal hematologic CSF findings with known pathologies.

Course Outline

• Describe the appearance of normal cerebrospinal fluid and list causes of abnormal CSF color and clarity.
• Normal CSF Appearance
• Causes of Abnormal Color and Clarity in CSF Samples
• Causes of Abnormal Color and Clarity in CSF Samples, continued
• Differentiation of Traumatic Tap and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
• Table: Differentiation of Traumatic Tap and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
• Differentiation of Traumatic Tap and SAH, continued
• What test is performed on CSF to differentiate a subarachnoid hemorrhage from a traumatic tap?
• A bloody CSF specimen with an RBC count of 80,000/µL is centrifuged to examine the supernatant. The appearance of the supernatant after centrifug...
• List diagnostic reasons for hematologic testing of CSF and describe CSF handling procedures that will provide quality specimens to ensure proper patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Reasons for Hematologic Testing of Cerebrospinal Fluid - Detection of Meningitis
• Detection of Malignant Cells
• Detection of Intracranial Bleed
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Stability, Preservation, and Distribution
• What is indicated when pleocytosis of neutrophils is found in the CSF?
• What department is the CSF tube #3 delivered to when three tubes are collected?
• Describe methods for obtaining accurate RBC and nucleated cell counts in CSF.
• Manual Cell Count
• Manual Cell Count, continued
• Manual Cell Count Calculation
• Automated Cell Count
• In which of the following conditions is a disposable hemocytometer recommended?
• A clear and colorless CSF specimen is received in the hematology department. How should the specimen be reported?
• Describe slide preparation and staining techniques necessary to obtain optimal microscopic cellular morphology and list possible causes of artifact.
• Slide Preparation For Microscopic Analysis of CSF
• Slide Preparation for Microscopic Analysis of CSF, continued
• Artifact Seen in CSF Slide Preparations
• What is the purpose of adding albumin to a CSF specimen before cytocentrifugation?
• Why is a daily control slide of saline and albumin prepared and examined microscopically when using the cytocentrifuge?
• Identify cell types and microscopic structures seen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and associate abnormal hematologic CSF findings with known pathologies.
• Nucleated Cells and Other Microscopic Elements Seen in CSF
• Abnormal and Immature Cells in CSF
• Malignant Cells in CSF
• Additional Abnormal Microscopic Findings in CSF
• Abnormal Hematologic Findings in CSF and Associated Pathologies
• Which cells could be seen after a CNS diagnostic procedure that would indicate bone marrow contamination?
• What cell is increased in the CSF in a parasitic infection?
• References
• References

Additional Information