LUMBAR PUNCTURE

By: NORMIMI HARTINI BT MD NOR

WHAT IS LUMBAR PUNCTURE??

• A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a spinal tap) is a procedure where a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken for testing. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrum) and spinal cord. This test is mainly used to diagnose meningitis. It is also used to help diagnose some other conditions of the brain and spinal cord.

• LUMBAR PUNCTURE DOES NOT CAUSE PARALYSIS OR OTHER SERIOUS MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS…….BECAUSE..

DOES LUMBAR PUNCTURE CAUSE PARALYSIS OR OTHER SERIOUS MEDICAL

COMPLICATIONS??

1. A lumbar puncture can help healthcare providers make a more accurate diagnosis..**

2. Serious complications of a properly performed lumbar puncture are extremely rare..**

3. Getting treatment late..**

to confirm type of infection when culture and sensitively test not sufficient to confirm type of pathogen

to find cause for symptoms possibly caused by an infection (such as meningitis), inflammation, cancer, or bleeding in the area around the brain or spinal cord..

the most commonly encountered side effect of lumbar puncture is headache, that usually lasts for two to three days.

this can be relieved by regular analgesics or pain killers..

if meningitis is not being treated immediately and properly increase of paralysis and mental retardation

Incidently, lumbar puncture and treatment are done, but the damage that caused originally is difficult to recover..

WHY LUMBAR PUNCTURE IS DONE?

To look for infection

To check to see if there is bleeding around the

brain

To look for causes of unexplained seizures

To look for causes of headaches

HOW LUMBAR PUNCTURE IS DONE?

• The doctor or nurse may put a local anaesthetic patch on the skin first to numb the area where they will put the needle. It takes about half an hour for the patch to work.

• If patients are very scared or anxious the doctor may give them some medicine that will help them to relax.

• It is very important that during this test patient does not move so a nurse will hold them gently but firmly to make sure they stay still.

• Patient must lie curled up on their side with their knees tucked up under their chin.

• A doctor will clean the skin on the lower half of patient's back and then carefully insert the needle, as seen in the picture below.

• The drops of spinal fluid are collected quickly into small tubes, and then the needle is removed.

• The test may be a little bit awkward as patient needs to be still the whole time and may feel some discomfort.

WHAT DOES A LUMBAR PUNCTURE SHOW??

Infection of the membrane

surrounding the brain and spinal cord

(meningitis)

Bleeding (subarachnoid

hemorrhage, stroke)

Autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosisViral infection

(encephalitis)

Tumors (lymphoma, cancer)

SIDE EFFECTS

HEADACHE

BRAIN HERNIATION

INFECTION

BLEEDING

THE END