CSF lactate. Issue 4 (13th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baheerathan, Aravindhan; Pitceathly, Robert DS; Curtis, Carmel; Davies, Nicholas WS
• Is Part Of: Practical neurology. Volume 20:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 320
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2020-05-13
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2019-002191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7758

Abstract

Abstract : Lactate is produced from anaerobic glycolysis, which occurs in most tissues in the human body. Blood lactate is tested in most physiologically unwell patients in the Emergency Department and helps to guide treatment and prognosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate, however, is not often measured. Various central nervous system (CNS) conditions lead to a rise in CSF lactate, including acute neurological infection, stroke, seizures and mitochondrial pathologies. This article discusses the utility and limitations of CSF lactate, highlighting specific clinical situations where it can help in the diagnosis of CNS infections and unexplained encephalopathy.