CSF collection

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CSF chemistry

Lumbar vertebrae

Spinal tap; Ventricular puncture; Lumbar puncture; Cisternal puncture; Cerebral spinal fluid culture

• 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), and resulting in brain damage or death.
• Damage to the spinal cord (particularly if the person moves during the test).
• Cisternal puncture or ventricular puncture carry additional risk of damage to the brainstem or brain tissue and risk of bleeding within the brain; resulting in incapacitation or death.

This test should not be performed on people who may have increased intracranial pressure.

Review Date: 05/12/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri MD, Clinical Asst. Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.