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CSF collection



CSF chemistry
CSF chemistry
Lumbar vertebrae
Lumbar vertebrae


CSF collection

Alternative Names:

Spinal tap; Ventricular puncture; Lumbar puncture; Cisternal puncture; Cerebral spinal fluid culture
What the risks are:
  • Risks of lumbar puncture include:
    • Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the anesthetic.
    • Discomfort during the test.
    • Headache after the test.
    • Bleeding into the spinal canal.
  • Brain herniation (if performed on a person with increased intracranial pressure), and resulting in brain damage or death.
  • Damage to the spinal cord (particularly if the person moves during the test).
  • Cisternal puncture or ventricular puncture carry additional risk of damage to the brainstem or brain tissue and risk of bleeding within the brain; resulting in incapacitation or death.

Special considerations:


This test should not be performed on people who may have increased intracranial pressure.


References:

Nathan, BR. Cerebrospinal Fluid and Intracranial Pressure. In: Goetz, CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:WB Saunders Company; 2003:511-524.




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