xanthochromia

Symonds also described the use of lumbar puncture and xanthochromia in diagnosis.

Many laboratories rely on the color of the fluid alone when reporting the presence or absence of xanthochromia.

There are other causes for xanthochromia.

Excess iron, ferritin, and red blood cells may result in xanthochromia of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Analysis of spinal fluid may demonstrate lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein content or xanthochromia.

Xanthochromia and spectrophotometry remain reliable ways to detect SAH several days after the onset of headache.

Further complications that may arise include hyperpigmentation, renal (kidney) failure, and CSF xanthochromia.

Froin's syndrome - coexistence of xanthochromia, high protein level and marked coagulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

If this is normal, a lumbar puncture is performed, as a small proportion of SAH is missed on CT and can still be detected as xanthochromia.