The role of cerebrospinal fluid analysis in the diagnosis of postoperative intracranial infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in postoperative intracranial infection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1, 329 patients (with 1, 329 samples of CSF) who were admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University and underwent elective craniotomy from January 2017 to December 2017. The samples were divided into 2 groups based on the culture results: the infected CSF group (n=176) and the non-infected group (n=1, 153). Comparison was conducted on the glucose level (GLU), protein level (PRO), the counts of total cells and white blood cells (WBC) and the level of lactose (LAC) between the 2 groups. Results There were significant differences in GLU, WBC and LAC between CSF infected and non-infected groups (all P 5.0 mmol/L was 74.1% and the specificity was 74.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of WBC>1, 000×106 cells/L for infection with Gram-negative bacteria were 67.3% and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusions The results have suggested the diagnostic values of CSF GLU, WBC and LAC in postoperative intracranial infection. The GLU 5.0 mmol/L and WBC>1, 000×106 cells/L might be predictive for intracranial infections with Gram-negative bacteria. Key words: Neurosurgical procedures; Central nervous system infections; Postoperative complications; Dignosis; Cerebrospinal fluid