[Cerebrospinal fluid cytologic diagnosis--possibilities and limits].

Findings of functionally active and proliferating cells in CSF, such as granulocytes, macrophages, lymphoid cells and blastoma cells are of diagnostic importance in pathological reactions of meninges. Such findings have a special significance in different phases in the course of meningoencephalitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage and infiltrations of neoplasms with subependymal localization which can not be obtained even by modern methods in neuroradiology. A correct diagnostic assessment is only given by knowledge and in consideration of all clinical and laboratory findings. The diagnostic value is limited in cases of deeply intracerebral localized diseases, of chronic recurrent processes, of cases with previous lesions or of concommitant symptoms because the results are atypical.