title: Rapid differentiation of subarachnoid hemorrhage from traumatic lumbar puncture using the D-dimer assay.
abstract: The D-dimer assay of 40 cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples accurately differentiated subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from traumatic lumbar puncture. The D-dimer assay was positive in all six patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Negative D-dimer values were obtained in control groups of 14 patients with hemorrhagic CSF secondary to traumatic lumbar puncture (LP) and in 20 patients with normal CSF. The D-dimer assay proved to be a better test than xanthochromia or the decline in erythrocyte count in sequentially collected tubes in differentiating subarachnoid hemorrhage from traumatic LP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Berberian
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ault
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D