Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds and protects the brain, is produced by ependymal cells in the choroid plexus, and helps remove metabolic waste. Testing the fluid can diagnose infections and diseases, and it is collected through a lumbar puncture procedure.
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear fluid that surrounds the brain and provides the organ with protection and support. The fluid is produced and secreted by cells in the brain called ependymal cells. Some infections and diseases can be diagnosed by testing samples of cerebrospinal fluid.
The fluid is produced in a central section of the brain called the choroid plexus. More than half of the choroid plexus consists of ependymal cells, arranged in many layers of cells and blood vessels. The cells produce and secrete cerebrospinal fluid, and the fluid flows from the choroid plexus to circulate around the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal fluid has several functions. First, the fluid provides the brain with buoyancy, which allows the organ to support its own weight without collapsing. Without the fluid, the weight of the brain would prevent it from maintaining a constant blood supply to the lower sections. The fluid also provides an important level of protection by acting as a mechanical buffer that prevents contact between the brain and skull. Spinal fluid also helps remove metabolic wastes from the brain and spinal cord. Fluid circulates constantly around the brain and spinal cord, allowing wastes to diffuse across the blood-brain barrier and be removed from the body.
CSF analysis is done to test the fluid for infection and other signs of disease. Healthy fluid is clear, but when a bacterial infection is present, the fluid is cloudy and may contain blood. The types of proteins present or absent in the fluid can also provide diagnostic clues. Conditions that may require a spinal fluid analysis include encephalitis, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, meningitis, and pituitary tumors.
The most common method of collecting fluid is through a procedure called lumbar puncture or lumbar puncture. The patient lies on his side with knees bent towards his chest or sits in a bent position. The lower back is cleaned and an anesthetic is injected into the spine. A fluid collection needle is then inserted into the lower back to collect a sample. After the sample has been taken, the site is cleaned and bandaged again.
During this procedure, it is very important that the patient remain still while collecting fluid. This is because the motion could cause the needle to move and injure the spinal cord. Thorough cleaning of the area is important to prevent infection. Also, the patient should rest for several hours after the procedure, in order to avoid leakage of spinal fluid.
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