A yellowish colouration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Normally clear and transparent, CSF can turn yellow when certain substances, such as bilirubin or blood degradation products, accumulate. This colour is an important indicator for physicians because it may reveal underlying abnormalities or pathologies.
Causes of xanthochromia
Xanthochromia most often occurs after bleeding in the brain, when a small amount of blood is present in the CSF. Degradation of red blood cells releases bilirubin, giving the liquid this characteristic hue. It can also result from infections, inflammation or metabolic disorders in the brain.
Diagnosis and Clinical Significance
Xanthochromia is usually identified by lumbar puncture followed by laboratory CSF analysis. This allows rapid detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is often invisible to initial clinical examination. Xanthochromia is thus a valuable marker to guide diagnosis and adapt medical treatments.
Other Words That May Be of Interest to You
- Cerebrospinal or cerebrospinal fluid :
- Fluid circulating around the brain, spinal cord and cerebral ventricles.