CSF chemistry

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CSF chemistry

Chemistry - CSF

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), which can cause brain damage and/or death
• Damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots (particularly if the person moves during the test)
• Infection following a nonsterile procedure (very rare)

Cisternal puncture and ventricular puncture carry additional risk of damage to the brainstem or brain tissue and risk of bleeding within the brain, potentially resulting in incapacitation or death.

Review Date: 11/21/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.