Final answer:
CSF Gluc refers to Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose, which is used in medical diagnostics to measure the level of glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid and can help in diagnosing neurological conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
CSF Gluc stands for Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose. This involves analyzing the glucose content in the cerebrospinal fluid, which ranges from 50-85 mg/100 ml, a value that is less than the plasma level. Changes in the glucose level can indicate various neurological conditions. An increase might be seen in encephalitis, central nervous system syphilis, abscesses, and tumors, while a decrease is often noted in purulent meningitis.
Cerebrospinal fluid testing is a critical diagnostic tool for myriad neurological diseases, obtained via lumbar puncture. It assesses not only glucose but also cell count and protein concentrations, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like subarachnoid hemorrhage and central nervous system infections like meningitis. The CSF culture can reveal the microorganism behind an infection, while the presence of oligoclonal bands can indicate an ongoing inflammatory condition, such as multiple sclerosis.
The CSF itself is a clear fluid that cushions the brain, occupies the subarachnoid space, and flows within the ventricular system around the cerebrum and spinal cord. Its composition, including the glucose levels, provides essential diagnostic information about a patient's neurological health.