Steps to collect CSF samples from the human body.

Examining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain fluid can reveal vital diagnostic data for various viral and non-infectious medical conditions in humans. As the name indicates, CSF is a colourless, watery body fluid flowing around the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. It plays a vital role in regulating the normal functions of the central nervous system (CNS) and protects the brain tissues and spinal cord from accidental mechanical damage and trauma. In healthy adults, the normal volume of CSF ranges from 90 to 200 mL; only about 20% of the CSF is found in the ventricles; the remaining is found in the subarachnoid space in the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 20 mL of CSF are produced on average every hour.

How to collect CSF specimens from the patient?

CSF analysis is the term used to describe a series of lab tests to assess the cerebrospinal fluid constituents in the human body. It is mostly carried out to identify and track disorders or diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord and impairing CNS functions. Nowadays, CSF analysis helps to diagnose conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, brain disorders, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's disease, etc. Now let us look closely at the sampling procedure of CSF samples from the human body.

There are various methods for obtaining a CSF sample from the human body. The most used technique is a lumbar puncture (spinal tapping). Following are the steps for spinal tapping:

• Ask the patient to lie on their side with knees pulled up towards the chest and chin tucked downward. Occasionally, the test is conducted by making the patient sit upright but bent forward.
• A local anesthetic is then injected into the lower spine after the back has been cleansed by the doctor.
• A spinal needle will be inserted between the lumbar vertebral column, between the 3rd and 4th, to collect the CSF for testing.
• During the procedure, the opening pressure is often recorded. An abnormal pressure is suggestive of infection or other problems.
• The CSF pressure is monitored when the needle is in position, and a sample of 1 to 10 milliliters of CSF is collected in sterile vials.
• After the collection procedure, the needle is withdrawn, and the needle site is cleansed and appropriately bandaged.
• After the examination, instruct the patient to stay in a lying position for a short time to avoid adverse events.
• The collected CSF samples are subjected to CSF analysis to diagnose diseases. After diagnosis, the left-over samples are sometimes stored at biobanks for future research use.

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