Communicating Complex Results of Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis requires a combined assessment of multiple tests to establish diagnosis. Some result combinations require the application of specific rules, based on mathematical formulae to supply a correct result interpretation. This chapter addresses some typical pitfalls in the interpretation of blood contaminated CSF, interpretation of the antibody specifity index, and markers of dementia. The text output of a knowledge-based system combined with a visually oriented report form facilitates the recognition of these typical but often not apparent disease patterns.