Lumbar Puncture

This surgery is performed for one or more of the following reasons:

• To collect cerebrospinal fluid for laboratory analysis.
• To measure the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid.
• To inject spinal anesthetics, chemotherapy drugs, or other medications into the lumbar region.
• To inject a dye or radioactive substances into the cerebrospinal fluid to make diagnostic images of the fluid’s flow.

A lumbar puncture can help in the diagnosis of various conditions such as:

• Serious bacterial, fungal and viral infections
• Bleeding around the brain
• Cancers involving the brain or spinal cord
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis

Lumbar Puncture Procedure

• The patient is asked to lie on their side with their knees drawn up in front.
• A local anesthetic is injected into the lower back to numb the puncture site before inserting the needle.
• A thin needle is inserted between the two lower vertebrae through the spinal membrane and into the spinal canal.
• Once the needle is in position, the patient may be asked to change their position slightly.
• The cerebrospinal fluid pressure is measured, a small amount of this fluid is withdrawn and the pressure is measured again. If required, a drug is also injected.
• The needle is then removed, and the puncture site is covered with a bandage.

Post-Procedure

The patient is usually asked to lie down for 10-15 minutes. In most cases, they are free to go home after the procedure.

Post-Procedure Care

When the patient returns home after the surgery, they are recommended to do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• Drink extra fluids for the next 24 hours
• Take complete rest for at least 24 hours
• Follow the doctor’s instructions

Even though lumbar punctures are generally recognized as safe, they do carry some risks such as:

• Post-lumbar puncture headache
• Back pain or discomfort
• Bleeding
• Brainstem herniation
• Pain or abnormal burning, or tingling sensations in legs
• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic
• Infection