Table 3 CSF in granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis: the classical findings, variations and the responses to treatment with corticosteroids

Leucocyte count (cells/μL)

50 - 900 [7]

0 - 11,840

Occasional cases (~10%) may have normal leucocyte counts [39].

Cytology

Mononuclear pleocytosis usually consisting of lymphocytes (60 to 90%), monocytes (10 to 20%) and variable numbers of large macrophages with lacy cytoplasm [7]

Occasional cases (~10%) may have up to 50-60% neutrophils [3, 27].

Some cases with relatively fewer lymphocytes than monocytes [3].

Protein (g/L)

40 to 400 [7]

9 to 1,848 [27]

Occasional cases (~5 to 10%) may have normal protein concentrations [40].

Corticosteroid response

In one study, eight dogs were treated with corticosteroids prior to CSF analysis and the mean WCC

and protein content of the CSF of these dogs did not differ significantly from non-treated cases

[3].

In another study of 16 CSF samples analysed, the only two samples that were normal were in dogs

previously treated with corticosteroids [14].

However, it should be noted that the great variability of dose, the nature and the timing of prior therapy make it

impossible to draw conclusions other than to say that prior treatment with corticosteroids can possibly have "some" effect

on CSF analysis.