CSF glucose measurement is most useful for assessing which condition?

CSF glucose measurement is most useful for assessing which condition?

• A. Infection
• B. Transport efficiency
• C. Diabetes
• D. Traumatic tap

Answer: (A)

CSF glucose is most useful for identifying central nervous system infection, especially bacterial meningitis. In bacterial and fungal infections, glucose in the CSF drops because organisms and inflammatory cells consume glucose and there can be disrupted glucose transport into the CSF. Normally CSF glucose is about two-thirds of serum glucose, so a marked decrease relative to serum supports infection. In viral meningitis, CSF glucose is usually normal, so a low CSF glucose helps distinguish bacterial/fungal infections from viral ones. Diabetes is diagnosed by plasma glucose and HbA1c, not by CSF glucose, and a traumatic tap does not typically cause a characteristic, informative change in CSF glucose.

CSF glucose is most useful for identifying central nervous system infection, especially bacterial meningitis. In bacterial and fungal infections, glucose in the CSF drops because organisms and inflammatory cells consume glucose and there can be disrupted glucose transport into the CSF. Normally CSF glucose is about two-thirds of serum glucose, so a marked decrease relative to serum supports infection. In viral meningitis, CSF glucose is usually normal, so a low CSF glucose helps distinguish bacterial/fungal infections from viral ones. Diabetes is diagnosed by plasma glucose and HbA1c, not by CSF glucose, and a traumatic tap does not typically cause a characteristic, informative change in CSF glucose.