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How do you tell the difference between blood and CSF on a CAT scan of the brain?
So the difference is pretty much simply that CSF shows up black and blood is white? Gotcha.
haha so if almost my entire CAT scan showed up black then I'm definitely hydrocephalic, not bleeding internally?
2 Answers
- NLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
CSF should only be seen in the ventricles which appear black like fluid as it is thinner than blood. New blood appears white and can be found in any part of the brain including the ventricles. Old blood appears gray. The radiologists can calculate the viscosity of the fluid found on the CT which lets them know what kind of fluid is present (blood vs. CSF vs. pus etc.)
Source(s): PA surgical critical care - John de WittLv 71 decade ago
Blood where it isn't supposed to be shows up as a nice white glob on the CT, or else it doesn't. Even the latest 64-slice CT's are not sensitive enough to rule out a bleed, though, so if you suspect a bleed and don't see it, you still have to get the lumbar puncture.
