Cerebrospinal fluid Xanthochromia

Specimen for Cerebrospinal fluid Xanthochromia

• Cerebrospinal fluid is needed.

Indication

• To assess the presence of increased protein in the CSF.

 Xanthochromia:

Definition of Xanthochromasia:

1. Xanthochromia is a yellow color, and it may occur due to hemoglobin pigments from lysed RBCs, or it appears when CSF proteins are >150 mg/dL and produce a faint yellow color.
2. Severe jaundice may produce discoloration that may simulate xanthochromasia.

Pathophysiology of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF):

1. The normal color of the CSF is clear and colorless.
2. The color appearance depends upon the presence of hyperbilirubinemia, hypercarotenemia,  melanoma, and elevated protein levels.
3. A cloudy appearance indicates an increased number of WBCs or increased proteins.
4. A red tinge indicates blood that may be due to hemorrhage in the subarachnoid space or due to a traumatic tap.
5. Due to traumatic tap, blood may form clots, which will not occur in the subarachnoid bleeding.
   1. In traumatic tap, successive tubes become clear of blood.
6. Xanthochromia is usually referred to as a yellow tinge.

How to check xanthochromia:

• The easiest way is to centrifuge the CSF and see it against the white background.

• Result
  Xanthochromia, when positive in the CSF, indicates a raised protein level.
• Please see more details in the CSF fluid analysis.

---