What is a lumbar puncture?
A lumbar puncture is sometimes called a “spinal tap.” It’s a medical procedure that can involve collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and brain. A laboratory can test it for signs of certain medical conditions and infections.
When is a lumbar puncture used?
Your doctor may order a lumbar puncture for a few different reasons. They may use it to check for signs of certain medical conditions, such as:
- meningitis
- myelitis
- demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
- cancers that can affect your spinal cord and brain
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
In some cases, they may use a lumbar puncture to administer medication directly into your spinal canal. For example, they may use it to give you chemotherapy drugs.
What are the benefits of a lumbar puncture?
A lumbar puncture can help your doctor accurately diagnose or rule out certain medical conditions, including some life-threatening illnesses. The quicker they make a diagnosis, the sooner you can get appropriate treatment. Some conditions, such as bacterial meningitis, can be fatal if you don’t get treatment for them quickly enough.
A lumbar puncture can also help your doctor give you some types of medication.
What are the risks of a lumbar puncture?
A lumbar puncture is generally considered safe, but it can involve some risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to a quarter of people who get a lumbar puncture develop a headache afterward. Lying down for a few hours after the procedure may lower your risk of getting a headache.
Other potential risks include tenderness or pain in your lower back and bleeding near the puncture site. You may experience some pain and numbness that shoots down your legs. In rare cases, people experience brainstem herniation, which is the movement of brain tissue from its normal position in your skull. This is uncommon.
How should you prepare for a lumbar puncture?
Tell your doctor about all of the medications you’re taking and ask them if you should stop taking any of them before your lumbar puncture. For example, they may advise you to stop taking blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin.
Your doctor may also order a CT or MRI scan before your lumbar puncture. They can use it to check for signs of swelling around your brain or other problems.
What should you expect during a lumbar puncture?
Your doctor will conduct a lumbar puncture using a needle and syringe. They’ll collect a sample of your spinal fluid in a tube attached to the syringe. Then, they’ll send it to a laboratory for testing.
The procedure usually takes about 45 minutes. It usually includes the following steps:
- They’ll likely position you on your side.
- They’ll clean your back with an antiseptic solution to reduce your risk of infection and numb it with a local anesthetic.
- They’ll inject a hollow needle into your subarachnoid space to collect a sample of your CSF. You may feel some pressure at this point, but the procedure usually isn’t painful.
- After they remove the needle, they’ll clean and bandage the puncture site.
For a short period after the procedure, it’s likely they’ll monitor you for a headache, dizziness, or other side effects.
What do the results of a lumbar puncture mean?
They’ll send the CSF sample to a lab for testing. Professionals in the lab may:
- evaluate its appearance for cloudiness
- check it for the presence of protein and glucose
- measure the level of red and white blood cell levels it contains
- check it for the presence of bacteria or viruses
It may take anywhere from a few hours to several days for them to analyze your sample. Your doctor can help you understand what the results mean. They’ll also advise you on any follow-up steps you should take.
What is the outlook?
Your long-term outlook will depend on your final diagnosis. Ask your doctor for more information about your specific condition, treatment plan, and long-term outlook.