THE ENTRY OF RADIOSODIUM AND OF BROMIDE INTO HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

Abstract

In meningitis and encephalitis, the bromide entry rate is higher than in noninflammatory diseases. In tuberculous meningitis it is highest and the Na entry rate is also increased. Four hours after injecting lumbar Na (but not the bromide) decreases in noninflammatory cases appear as age increases. In diseases of the basal nuclei there are abnormally lower 4-hour concentrations of both Na and bromide, probably due to ventricular enlargement, degenerate anterior choroidal artery, or both. In noninflammatory cases the bromide concentration at first rises as fast or faster than the bromide concentration which rises faster at about 4 hours. This may be due to a dual source, the choroid plexus secreting Na with a smaller proportion of bromide than the other source. The inhalation of 5% carbon dioxide increases the rate of Na entry and decreases that of bromide.