A technologist is performing a body fluid analysis on a CSF specimen recently received in the laboratory. Four CSF tubes were sent to the body fluids bench. The tech notices that all four specimens seem moderately blood tinged equally. Moderate xanthochromia was also noted. The tech performs the cytospin differential and notices many macrophages with black crystals and round, pink intracellular bodies. What is the most likely reason for these findings?
A) This was a traumatic specimen collection.
B) The patient has a CNS lymphoma.
C) The patient is suffering from a subdural hemorrhage.
D) The wrong patient was drawn.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of xanthochromia and macrophages with black crystals and round, pink intracellular bodies suggests an old hemorrhage, such as a subdural hemorrhage, where blood has been present in the CSF for some time, allowing for breakdown and phagocytosis by macrophages.

A Technologist Is Performing a Body Fluid Analysis on a CSF