What is a Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)?
A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a diagnostic test performed to collect a sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is known as “cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).” CSF circulates in the area of the brain and spinal cord. During a lumbar puncture, samples of the fluid are taken and sent to the laboratory for microscopic examination and chemical analysis. From the results of this test, your doctor may diagnose a particular disease/injury, or determine if you are responding to a specific treatment. Also, a lumbar puncture may be done to inject antibiotics or chemotherapy. A Lumbar Puncture is performed for the following purposes: • To collect samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to assist in the diagnosis of certain diseases, such as: multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and other peripheral neuropathies, tumors and infections (for example: meningitis, encephalitis). • To measure the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and observe its appeara
