Once your child is in the correct position and the area is properly cleaned and prepared, the lumbar puncture should only take a minute or two. The better your child's position and the more calm they remain, the more likely the lumbar puncture is to be successful on the first attempt. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers. To donate, visit www. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals.
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The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture A lumbar puncture is a test where a doctor uses a needle to get fluid from your child's lower back.
Why does my child need a lumbar puncture? What to expect During a lumbar puncture, your child will lie on their side with their knees tucked into their chest and head bent forward. What are the risks? Care at home After the procedure, your child can be bathed normally. Key points to remember In a lumbar puncture, a doctor uses a needle to take fluid from your child's lower back.
It is the only way to be sure if your child has meningitis or not, and is also used for other tests. It also transports hormones from where they are produced to parts of the brain where they are needed. If a doctor suspects that a person has a condition affecting the CNS, or that cancer that may have spread to the CNS, the person may be sent for a lumbar puncture.
Doctors usually perform a lumbar puncture on a person who is lying still in a fetal position. Once the back is numb, the doctor will insert a hollow needle into the spinal canal containing the spinal cord between two vertebrae. Some people experience a headache between 24 and 48 hours after the procedure.
People have described the pain as a dull or throbbing pain at the front of the head, sometimes spreading to the neck and shoulders. Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate soreness, but if the pain is severe or is accompanied by sickness and vomiting, it is important to seek medical attention.
To reduce the risk of developing a post-lumbar puncture headache, a person will be asked to lie on their back quietly and not lift their head for 1 to 2 hours afterward the procedure. The lumbar puncture is performed below the end of the spinal cord where there are small strands of nerves. Sometimes, the needle can make contact with a small vein, causing a traumatic tap. If this happens, a small amount of blood may leak into one or more of the samples, which may impact the results.
Some people experience lower back pain in the area where the procedure took place, while others may also feel pain in the back of their legs. Doctors usually recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, and the pain usually subsides in a few days. A person may also experience some bruising and swelling related to a small amount of leaking fluid collecting under the skin. This tends to go away without treatment. The CSF that is collected during a lumbar puncture will contain protein and glucose and may also contain white blood cells.
It will be examined to detect any disruption to the normal flow of CSF or damage to the blood-brain barrier. Depending on the results of the test and the signs and symptoms the individual experienced, a doctor may perform further tests. If analysis of the CSF identifies any irregularities, a doctor will recommend further tests to help make a diagnosis. Vagus nerve stimulation VNS is the process of electrically stimulating a person's vagus nerve via a surgically implanted pulse generator.
Bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissues that cover it subarachnoid space. Reye syndrome. A sometimes fatal disease that causes severe problems with the brain and other organs. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, it has been linked to giving aspirin to children. It is now advised not to give aspirin to children during illnesses, unless prescribed by your child's healthcare provider.
A stage of syphilis during which the bacteria invades the central nervous system. A disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system.
Demyelinating diseases. Diseases that attack the protective coating that surrounds certain nerve fibers - for example, multiple sclerosis or acute demyelination polyneuropathy. Headaches of unknown cause. After evaluation and head imaging if necessary, a lumbar puncture may be done to diagnose certain inflammatory conditions that can result in a headache.
Pseudotumor cerebri also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, or IIH. In this condition,pressure within the subarachnoid space is elevated for reasons that are not clear. A lumbar puncture is only done in this condition after evaluation and head imaging. Normal pressure hydrocephalus. A rare condition affecting mainly older people in which there is a triad of loss of urinary control, memory problems, and an unsteady gait.
A lumbar puncture is done to see if the pressure of the CSF is elevated or not. In addition, a lumbar puncture may be used to measure the pressure of the CSF.
The healthcare provider uses a special tube called a manometer to measure s the pressure during a lumbar puncture. Finally, a lumbar puncture may be done to inject medicine directly into the spinal cord. These include:. Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to recommend a lumbar puncture.
Because this procedure involves the spinal cord and brain, the following complications may occur:. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure. I f you are having a lumbar puncture at Johns Hopkins Hospital or Bayview Medical Center, a neuroradiologist or radiology nurse will contact you by phone two or three days prior to your lumbar puncture to discuss the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Please inform the neuroradiology physician if:. Other options should be discussed with you and your doctor. A gown will be provided for you. However, the procedure may also be done while you remain in your clothes from home. For this reason, try to wear non-restrictive, comfortable clothing and slip on shoes if possible.
Please remove all piercings and leave all jewelry and valuables at home. If you are not sure if it is safe for you, contact your primary care provider or referring provider. However, on the day of the procedure, do not eat for three hours before the procedure.
You may have liquids and can take your usual medications unless previously advised to hold certain medications in preparation for the lumbar puncture. Please bring a current list of your medications and allergies with you.
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