The laboratory test results can take longer and will be discussed with you when completed. If you have further questions about this diagnostic test, contact the doctor that ordered the test. Hemorrhage is stopped by blood clotting. Increased intracranial pressure can compress and damage brain tissue.
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health care provider. At Mayfield, we work with diagnostic testing providers in the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky region to obtain neurological tests and interpret them with expertise and care.
Patients and referring physicians can rest assured that we will lay the groundwork for a diagnosis of utmost accuracy. To make an appointment call Make an Appointment. Many Mayfield spine patients have the option of same-day, outpatient spine surgery at our spine surgery center.
Lumbar puncture spinal tap Overview A lumbar puncture LP , also called a spinal tap, is an invasive outpatient procedure used to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid CSF from the subarachnoid space in the spine. How does a lumbar puncture work? Many conditions can be detected in the CSF including: infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord meningitis bleeding subarachnoid hemorrhage , stroke viral infection encephalitis tumors lymphoma, cancer autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis In addition to testing for abnormal cells, the CSF pressure can be measured to determine if you have a condition called hydrocephalus.
Who performs the test? This test is performed by a doctor in the office or in the hospital. How should I prepare for the test? What happens during the test? Although the fluid collection only takes a few minutes, the entire test takes about 20 minutes. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests.
Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens. If the CSF looks cloudy, it could mean there is an infection or a buildup of white blood cells or protein. If the CSF looks bloody or red, it may be a sign of bleeding or spinal cord obstruction. If it is brown, orange, or yellow, it may be a sign of increased CSF protein or previous bleeding more than 3 days ago.
There may be blood in the sample that came from the spinal tap itself. This makes it harder to interpret the test results. Brain herniation may occur if this test is done on a person with a mass in the brain such as a tumor or abscess. This can result in brain damage or death. This test is not done if an exam or test reveals signs of a brain mass. Damage to the nerves in the spinal cord may occur, particularly if the person moves during the test. Cisternal puncture or ventricular puncture carries additional risks of brain or spinal cord damage and bleeding within the brain.
Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Euerle BD. Spinal puncture and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Reviewed by: Joseph V. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Editorial team. To have the test: You will lie on your side with your knees pulled up toward the chest, and chin tucked downward.
Sometimes the test is done sitting up, but bent forward. After the back is cleaned, the health care provider will inject a local numbing medicine anesthetic into the lower spine. A spinal needle will be inserted. An opening pressure is sometimes taken. An abnormal pressure can suggest an infection or other problem.
The needle is removed, the area is cleaned, and a bandage is placed over the needle site. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is a cerebrospinal fluid CSF analysis? What is it used for? A CSF analysis may include tests to diagnose: Infectious diseases of the brain and spinal cord , including meningitis and encephalitis.
CSF tests for these disorders look for high levels of certain proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid. Bleeding in the brain Brain tumors. Why do I need a CSF analysis? What happens during a CSF analysis? During the procedure: You will lie on your side or sit on an exam table.
A health care provider will clean your back and inject an anesthetic into your skin, so you won't feel pain during the procedure. Your provider may put a numbing cream on your back before this injection.
Once the area on your back is completely numb, your provider will insert a thin, hollow needle between two vertebrae in your lower spine. Vertebrae are the small backbones that make up your spine. Your provider will withdraw a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. This will take about five minutes.
You'll need to stay very still while the fluid is being withdrawn. Your provider may ask you to lie on your back for an hour or two after the procedure. This may prevent you from getting a headache afterward.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean?
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