“When is the Spinal fluid test recommended?”
I recently read about a spinal fluid test, and I'm pretty surprised about how common this test is for patients. Under what circumstances is this test recommended?
5 Answers
Spinal fluid testing is helpful in the inpatient setting when evaluating for possible meningitis. Spinal fluid testing can also be very helpful in confirming a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Sometimes removing excessive spinal fluid can help diagnose conditions like normal pressure hydrocephalus.
inflammation or infection in the spinal fluid.
Richard Grant Hunter
Neurologist
There are many tests that can be done on the spinal fluid. Each is based on attempting to confirm the suspect disease.
Spinal fluid can give valuable information on infectious and inflammatory as well as neuro degenerative conditions affecting the brain
Spinal fluid tests are typically done for infections of the brain (meningitis), Multiple sclerosis, and varying forms of cancer. There are times they are done for other reasons as well though.
