Evaluating Correction Factors for Accurate Diagnosis

The assessment of commonly used correction factors for traumatic lumbar punctures showed varying effectiveness in differentiating true pleocytosis from false readings. Specificity for these correction methods ranged from 30% to 70%, while sensitivity varied between 85% and 98%, with a general trend favoring better sensitivity. This tradeoff highlights the challenge in achieving accurate diagnoses, as using these factors could result in misleading interpretations of CSF findings. Clinicians are advised to interpret corrected white blood cell counts indicating only mild pleocytosis with caution to avoid misdiagnosis in patients.