Here are the normal parameters :
Pressure = 50-180 mmH2O
Color = clear
RBC count = 0-4 x 10^6/L
WBC count = 0-4 x 10^6/L
Glucose = >60% of the serum level
Protein = < 0.45 g/L
Microbiology = sterile//no growth
Subarachnoid haemorrhage :
Pressure increased, bloody, RBC count increased, WBC = normal/increased, glucose = normal, protein = increased, sterile
Acute bacterial meningitis :
Pressure normal/increased, cloudy/turbid, RBC count = normal, WBC = 1000-5000 polymorphs, glucose = decreased, protein = increased, organism present on gram stain/culture
Viral meningitis
Pressure normal, clear, RBC count = normal, WBC = 10-2000 lymphocytes, glucose = normal, protein = normal/increased, sterile/viral DNA or RNA present
Tuberculous meningitis
Pressure normal/increased, clear/cloudy, RBC count = normal, WBC = 50-5000 lymphocytes, glucose = decreased, protein = increased, ZN stain/Auramine stain
