What is a Lumbar Puncture and What Will I Experience?
A lumbar puncture is a test that is used to extract cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal and measure the pressure of the CSF. A lumbar puncture may be ordered as a diagnostic tool to evaluate a patient for certain conditions of the brain or spine, like meningitis, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or hydrocephalus. During the lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted into the spinal canal, usually between the lumbar vertebrae L3/L4 or between L4/L5 (meaning the between the third and fourth or between the fourth and fifth vertebrae of the lumbar region, or lowest region, of the spine). Through this needle, the CSF is collected, and an instrument known as a manometer is used to test the pressure of the CSF. What will I experience during a lumbar puncture? The lumbar puncture is performed either in a physician’s office or in the hospital. It is performed by a physician or by another properly trained medical professional. The procedure for performing a lumbar puncture is
