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Lumber Puncture
A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Here’s an overview of the procedure:
Diagnostic Purposes:
- Infections: To diagnose infections of the central nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis.
- Bleeding: To detect subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Neurological Conditions: To diagnose multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and other conditions.
- Cancer: To check for malignant cells in cases of suspected central nervous system malignancies.
Therapeutic Purposes:
- Relieve Pressure: In conditions like pseudotumor cerebri, to reduce intracranial pressure.
- Administer Medications: Deliver chemotherapy, antibiotics, or anesthetics directly into the CSF.
Risks and Complications:
- Headache: The most common complication, known as a post-lumbar puncture headache, which can be severe and last several days.
- Back Pain: Pain or tenderness at the puncture site.
- Bleeding: Rarely, bleeding into the spinal canal.
- Infection: A very low risk of introducing infection.
- Nerve Injury: Rarely, damage to nerves in the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Aftercare:
- Patients are often advised to drink plenty of fluids and rest after the procedure.
- Pain relief medications may be recommended for any discomfort or headache.
- Monitoring for any signs of complications, such as severe headache, back pain, fever, or neurological changes, is essential.
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