Lumbar Puncture

This is a diagnostic test in which the idea is to remove a small amount of spinal fluid to send to the lab and which to do test upon.  In this test, the radiologists will clean the skin of the of the lower back, freeze the skin with local anesthetic, and while watching the X-ray machine, place a very small (24 or 25 gauge) needle into the spine.  Sometimes, depending on the patient’s symptoms, the pressure of the spinal fluid is measured prior to removing fluid to send to the lab.

This is a test that sounds unpleasant and is one that a lot of false facts associated with it. 

You cannot be paralyzed or suffer nerve damage from this test. It isn’t painful (our patients do NOT tell us that they are feeling pain).  It is an easy test that will leave you surprise as to how easy it was. 

There is a SMALL incidence of headaches after a lumbar puncture but in our hands, that incidence is less than one percent.