Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

 

What is a Lumbar Puncture/Spinal Tap and how is it performed?

LUMBAR PUNCTURE (SPINAL TAP)

What is lumbar puncture and how is it performed?

A lumbar puncture (LP or "spinal tap"), sometimes called a spinal tap, is a procedure in which a sample small amount of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is removed and examined. A local anesthetic (numbing medicine) is injected into the lower back. and this is followed by the insertion of a larger A needle is injected into the space between the vertebrae until it reaches the spinal fluid. After the and a sample is collected. (usually this takes several minutes), the needle is withdrawn and a bandage is placed on the site. The pressure in the brain can also be measured during as part of the test.


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