What should be the ratio of RBCs to WBCs in a traumatic tap of normal CSF?

700 RBCs to 1 WBC, as in normal peripheral blood. Ratio may be different if patient has a leukocytosis or anemia.


Source

Shah, K. and Edlow, J. "Distinguishing Traumatic Lumbar Puncture From True Subarachnoid Hemorrhage" The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2002.