How is a lumbar puncture done?
First, an area on the lower back is numbed using medicine. Then a very thin needle is put through the skin and into the back. The patient is usually awake when this is done, and it is usually not painful. Crying babies need to be held tightly during this procedure. Once the needle is in place, the fluid pressure can be measured. Some CSF is removed and the needle is taken out. That fluid is sent to the lab for testing. Sometimes, a CT scan of the brain is done before the LP. In some hospitals, an x-ray machine may be used during the LP to guide the needle. How long does the procedure take? The process usually takes less than an hour. It may take a few hours for the lab to process the results, so you may have to wait a while. You will go home the same day if there are no major problems. What are the risks? The procedure is considered low risk, so major problems are rare. Bleeding and infection are possible at the needle site. You may see some swelling and bruising. Damage to nerves or o
