Spinal Fluid Collection Technique from the Atlanto-occipital Space in Pigs

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has an important role in the diagnosis of neurologic diseases. A technique for collecting CSF from the atlanto-occipital space in 20 pigs (body mass 150-160 kg) is described and the CSF values are reported. CSF was relatively easily collected from the cerebellomedullary space in all animals. The protein concentration and total cell count of CFS samples ranged from 20 to 32 mg/dl and from 2 to 15 cells/μl, respectively. Mononuclear cells were the predominant cellular type; a variable proportion of two different cell populations monocytoid cells and lymphocytes) was observed.