Intracranial aneurysm with and without sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a relevant health problem: The overall incidence is about 9 per 100,000 with a wide range, in some countries up to 20 per 100,000. Mortality rate with conservative treatment within the first months is 50–60%.
Lumbar puncture is frequently performed in primary care. Properly interpreted tests can make cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) a key tool in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases. Proper evaluation of CSF depends on knowing which tests to order, normal ranges for the patient’s age, and the test’s limitations. Protein level, opening pressure, and CSF-to-serum glucose ratio vary with age.
To detail the physiology, pathophysiology and recent advances in diagnostic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in critical illness, and briefly review the pharmacokinetics and pharmaco-dynamics of drugs in the CSF when administered by the intravenous and intrathecal route.