Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Neurology

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The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serves as a crucial diagnostic tool in clinical neurology, aiding in the evaluation of inflammatory, degenerative, and malignant nervous system diseases, as well as various cerebral and subarachnoidal bleedings. Easily obtained through lumbar puncture, CSF allows for basic analyses using straightforward laboratory methods. By integrating different CSF parameters, a variety of diagnostic entities can be identified. However, accurate interpretation requires significant expertise, as merely reporting individual analytic values is insufficient. This book addresses key aspects of CSF analysis and its role in diagnosing common neurological conditions. It begins with preclinical topics, including the history of CSF and the anatomical, physiological, and biological context of this fluid. Detailed discussions cover CSF collection, preanalytical and methodological considerations, and the growing array of disease-specific markers. Furthermore, CSF analyses are contextualized within clinical syndromes, highlighting their diagnostic significance in practice. This resource aids readers in grasping both preanalytical and analytical facets of CSF diagnostics, serving as a valuable reference for interpreting CSF results in the clinical evaluation of neurological patients.