Podcast 556:  CSF - What is it good for?

Podcast 556: CSF - What is it good for?

Contributor: Eric Miller, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • A cell count is performed on tubes 1 and 4 to account for changes that may occur from blood entering the first sample from the needle insertion
  • Tube 2 and 3 are usually used for the other studies like protein levels, glucose levels and gram staining
  • Protein levels are often elevated in bacterial meningitis but can be helpful in diagnosis conditions like multiple sclerosis
  • Glucose levels are typically low in bacterial meningitis due to the use of glucose by bacteria
  • Cell counts above 3-5 cells are typically abnormal, but cell counts can vary widely depending on the type of meningitis (viral vs. bacterial) and how long the infection has been present.
  • Cell type and differential can indicate viral vs. bacterial meningitis
    • Neutrophils are more associated with bacterial causes
    • Lymphocytes are more associated with viral etiologies
  • CSF cultures are used to identify the cause of bacterial meningitis but can take days to result.
  • A gram stain can help determine if any bacteria are present as well as cell types present.

References

  1. Jain, R. Chang, WW. Emergency Department Approach to the Patient with Suspected Central Nervous System Infection. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2018 Nov;36(4):711-722. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2018.06.004.

Summarized by Jackson Roos, MS3 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD



Jaksot(1145)

Episode 951: Pediatric Febrile Seizures

Episode 951: Pediatric Febrile Seizures

Contributor: Taylor Lynch, MD Educational Pearls: Pediatric febrile seizures are defined as seizures that occur between the ages of six months to five years in the presence of a fever greater than o...

7 Huhti 20256min

Episode 950: Ultrasound Pulse Check During Cardiac Arrest

Episode 950: Ultrasound Pulse Check During Cardiac Arrest

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used to assess cardiac activity during cardiac arrest and can identify potential reversible causes such as peric...

31 Maalis 20252min

Episode 949: Hoover's Sign

Episode 949: Hoover's Sign

Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD Educational Pearls: What is Hoover's sign used to identify? This physical exam maneuver differentiates between organic vs. functional (previously known as psychogenic...

24 Maalis 20251min

Episode 948: CYP Inducers and Inhibitors

Episode 948: CYP Inducers and Inhibitors

Contributor: Jorge Chalit-Hernandez, OMS3 Educational Pearls: CYP enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of many medications, drugs, and other substances CYP3A4 is responsible for the majorit...

17 Maalis 20253min

Episode 947: Hypercapnia

Episode 947: Hypercapnia

Educational Pearls: Physiologic stimulation of ventilation occurs through changes in levels of: Arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) Arterial oxygen (PaO2) Hypercapnia is an elevated level of CO2...

10 Maalis 20253min

Episode 946: Time to Defibrillation

Episode 946: Time to Defibrillation

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Quick background info Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood for any reason. This is different from a heart attack in which the heart ...

3 Maalis 20252min

Episode 945: Ketorolac vs. Ibuprofen

Episode 945: Ketorolac vs. Ibuprofen

Contributor: Ricky Dhaliwal, MD Educational Pearls:  Ketorolac and ibuprofen are NSAIDs with equivalent efficacy for pain in the emergency department Oral ibuprofen provides the same relief as in...

24 Helmi 20253min

Episode 944: Colchicine Overdose

Episode 944: Colchicine Overdose

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Colchicine is most commonly used for the prevention and treatment of gout There is research investigating the anti-inflammatory and cardioprotect...

17 Helmi 20253min

Suosittua kategoriassa Tiede

tiedekulma-podcast
rss-mita-tulisi-tietaa
rss-poliisin-mieli
rss-duodecim-lehti
docemilia
radio-antro
filocast-filosofian-perusteet
rss-ammamafia
rss-luontopodi-samuel-glassar-tutkii-luonnon-ihmeita
rss-sosiopodi
utelias-mieli
rss-astetta-parempi-elama-podcast
rss-tiedetta-vai-tarinaa