Pressure: 50–180 mm H2O
Appearance: Clear and colorless
Total protein: 15–45 mg/dL; SI units: 150–450 mg/L
Protein electrophoresis:
◆ Prealbumin: 2–7%
◆ Albumin: 56–76%
◆ Alpha1 globulin: 2–7%
◆ Alpha2 globulin: 4–12%
◆ Beta globulin: 8–18%
◆ Gamma globulin: 3–12%; SI units: 0.3–0.12
◆ Oligoclonal bands: none
◆ IgG: <3.4 mg/dL; SI units: <34 mg/L
Glucose: 50–80 mg/dL; SI units: 2.8–4.4 mmol/L
Cell count: 0–5 WBCs; no RBCs
Chloride: 118–132 mEq/L; SI units: 118–132 mmol/L
Lactate dehydrogenase: 10% of serum level
Lactic acid: 10–20 mg/dL; SI units: 1.1–2.2 mmol/L
Cytology: No malignant cells
Culture: No growth
Gram stain: Negative
India ink: Negative
VDRL: Nonreactive
Critical Values: Positive Gram’s stain, India ink preparation, or
culture.
. Sterile test tubes, numbered in the order they were filled.
Send to lab immediately. Do not refrigerate.
■ Obtained by lumbar puncture, which requires careful
patient preparation, postprocedure care, and informed
consent.
■ Used to aid in the diagnosis of meningitis, intracranial or
subarachnoid bleeding, brain injury, neurosyphilis,
degenerative brain diseases, CNS cancer or metastases,
autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, and other
conditions.
