The Cerebrospinal Fluid

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an invaluable diagnostic tool in clinical neurology, not only in the evaluation of inflammatory, degenerative, and malignant diseases of the nervous system, but also in the diagnosis of all forms of cerebral and subarachnoidal bleedings. The CSF can be easily obtained by lumbar puncture and a set of basic analyses can be conducted using relatively simple laboratory methods. By combining different CSF parameters, a wide range of diagnostic entities can be identified. However, properly interpreting the test results requires a high level of expertise and cannot be achieved by just reporting on individual analytic values. This book covers essential aspects of cerebrospinal fluid analysis and its use in the diagnosis of common neurological diseases. The first part addresses preclinical aspects such as the history of CSF, as well as the anatomical, physiological, and biological background of this valuable fluid. In addition, CSF collection, its preanalytical and methodological implications, and the increasing number of disease-specific markers in CSF are discussed in detail. Lastly, CSF analyses are put into context with clinical syndromes, demonstrating their diagnostic value in neurological clinical practice. Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Neurology helps readers understand the preanalytical and analytical aspects of CSF diagnostics and offers a valuable reference guide for interpreting CSF results during the clinical work-up for neurological patients.

Despite the existence of two barrier systems in the brain, research over the last century has mostly focused on the blood-brain barrier rather than on the blood-CSF barrier. Today, there is a greater understanding of the function of the blood-CSF barrier and of the choroid plexus, a tissue that is the primary site of this barrier. With the growing number of studies that focus on the role of the blood-CSF barrier in CNS homeostasis and neurological disorders, a modern overview of the blood-CSF barrier is long overdue. The Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier is exclusively devoted to the blood-CSF barrier. Internationally renowned experts discuss the most recent progress in the field of choroid plexus physiology and update our knowledge of the function of the blood-CSF barrier. The book begins with an overview of the development and morphology of the choroid plexus, and then covers various aspects of its function, such as the regulation of choroidal blood flow, ion transport, and the production and transport of polypeptides. Following an extensive section on the role of the choroid plexus in CNS disorders, the final section discusses in vitro, in vivo, and in situ models of the blood-CSF barrier. This unique book analyzes a wealth of new research on the proven and potential roles of the choroid plexus/blood-CSF barrier in the brain. It is a valuable resource that will foster future studies in neuroscience, pharmacology, and toxicology.

For centuries the great minds of medical science puzzled over the importance of the cerebrospinal fluid. As far back as Hippocrates, it was thought that this "phlegm" that flooded the intracranial contents had pathological significance. However, not until the late 1800s, when Quincke introduced and popularized lumbar puncture, did physicians take an interest in the study of this fluid in relation to clinical illness. Since then a variety of techniques for obtaining cerebrospinal fluid from various sites have developed, and the relationship of cerebrospinal fluid to a variety of disease processes has received considerable study. In this volume, we have attempted to assemble reviews of some of these important developments during the past century. Chapter 1 contains a historical review of key investigations that helped shape our concepts of cerebrospinal fluid from the earliest recorded description by the author of the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus in the seventeenth century B. C. to contemporaries such as Kabat, Glusman, and Knaub, who introduced quantitative determinations of cerebrospinal fluid gamma globulin levels. In Chapter 2 there is a description of our current understanding of the anatomical compartment for the cerebrospinal fluid and the physiology of its formation, circulation, and absorption. Dr. Richard Leech in Chapter 3 contributes a comprehensive description of the disorders associated with excessive quanti ties of cerebrospinal fluid-commonly referred to as hydrocephalus. A variety of techniques for properly collecting and evaluating cerebrospinal fluid are detailed in Chapter 4.

A guide to the techniques and analysis of clinical data. Each of the seventeen sections begins with a drawing and biographical sketch of a seminal contributor to the discipline. After an introduction and historical survey of clinical methods, the next fifteen sections are organized by body system. Each contains clinical data items from the history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations that are generally included in a comprehensive patient evaluation. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Given the evolution of cerebrospinal testing (CSF) testing methods, the near future is certain to see an explosion of new CSF analysis methodologies. Broad-based and extensively illustrated, Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Practice provides in-depth coverage of CSF examination and analysis, CSF physiology and pathophysiology, approach to diagnosis, and future directions in CSF analysis. It examines the alterations of the composition of CSF in relation to diseases and disorders of the nervous system, emphasizing the findings that are useful in clinical practice. This expansive reference is perfect regardless of your level of experience in central nervous system diseases. Provides in-depth coverage of CSF examination and analysis, CSF physiology and pathophysiology, approach to diagnosis, and future directions in CSF analysis. Explores the gamut of all CNS infections for a broad but detailed review of the scope of neurological disease. Contains detailed discussion on the proper use of specific diagnostic screens on CSF, so you may gain knowledge on how new diagnostic methods impact clinical medicine. Incorporates extensive illustrations and tables, with visual emphasis on diagnostic, laboratory, and anatomic data.