CSF WBC CORRECTION FOR HIGH RBC COUNT

[gilmanch]

Hi, how many labs out there use the WBC correction formula for CSF when the CSF has a high RBC? I used the calculation at my old lab, and my new lab does not.

[SMILLER]

Are you using an automated analyzer or a hemacytometer for cell counts?  In either case, it seems like it would be unecessary to "correct" for any count, as you are counting each individually.  Or maybe I dont understand your question?

 

Scott

[gilmanch]

I may not have explained question very well. When there is a traumatic tap, there is a calculation to perform to show true csf wbcs, b/c when traumatic tap, the peripherial blood wbcs can falsely increase the WBC CSF count.

 

TRUE WBC = WBC COUNTED CSF - (WBC IN BLOOD X RBC COUNTED CSF) / RBC IN BLOOD

[SMILLER]

OK. I think I get it. What we do is just report out what we count with no corrections. But in order to reflex a C&S based on the CSF WBC, we want the WBC > 5 with PMNs present, AND the WBC:RBC ratio to be greater than 1:200.

Scott