A cytopreparatory method for cerebrospinal fluid in which the cell yield is high and the fluid is saved for chemical analysis.

A method for the concentration of cells from cerebrospinal fluid is described. An adaptation of a commercial cytochamber, consisting of a holder that fixes a disposable chamber directly on a microscope slide, was used. The cells were spun down in a conventional swing-out centrifuge, which was provided with a bucket for the cytochamber system. After removing most of the supernatant with a pipette, the remaining fluid was absorbed by means of a suction device consisting of a disposable pipette tip covered with a piece of Leukopor and filled with Sephadex G10 beads. The method gives a high recovery of cells (90%), together with a good preservation of cell morphology, and leaves about 80% of the fluid available for analysis of the soluble components.