Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 29

The purpose of adding albumin to CSF before cytocentrifugation is to:

A. Increase the cell yield

B. Decrease the cellular distortion

C. Improve the cellular staining

D. Both A and B

Step 1 of 2

Cytocentrifugation of cerebrospinal fluid:

0.1 mL (milliliter) of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) is mixed with 30% albumin of 1 drop before centrifugation of the fluid.

• Addition of albumin elevates cell yield, and also decreases the cellular alteration, which is often seen in cytocentrifuged specimens

• Cellular distortion include nuclear clefting, indistinct cytoplasmic, nuclear border, cytoplasmic vacuoles, cellular clumping, and prominent nucleoli

• Fluid is poured into conical chamber and centrifugation of specimen starts

• Cells in fluid are attached to the slide with 6 mm diameter circle

• Filter paper blotter absorbs fluid that forms a concentrated region of cells

Therefore, to “increase the cell yield, and decrease the cellular distortion” albumin is added to CSF prior to cytocentrifugation. Hence, the correct answer is option.