What are the most common complications of the lumbar puncture?

Due to the invasiveness of the procedure, most lumbar complications are rare. The most common complication is headache, which occurs in about four out of ten patients with lumbar puncture and usually solved within one week. Other complications are more serious, but occur with much less frequency. Meningitis, nerve root injuries and extended stop are possible, albeit rare, lumbar puncture complications. Its causes are not known. It occurs more often in women than in men and less often in both younger and older patients. Several studies show that the selection of needles used for lumbar puncture affects the occurrence of these types of lumbar complications. Pencil needles appear, unlike bevel needles, significantly reduce the occurrence of postdural ache. The perception for a long time prevents headaches after postdural puncture. Oral caffeine provides some temporary relief, but it is short acting and does not exclude headache. The most effective treatment is the epidural blood patch. The repair is applied to the postpunk and provides relief for up to 98 percent of patients who experience postdural headache.

serious complications of lumbar punk on include tonsillar herniation, intracranial bleeding and infections. These types of complications are rare. Some complications occur more frequently in patients whose health or condition is endangered. Patients with serious existing health are more susceptible to the development of dangerous complications due to lumbar punctures.

samples of cerebrospinal fluid are obtained from lumbar puncture. This fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Examination of fluid can help diagnosis diseases such as meningitis, multiple sclerosis and brain bleeding. The procedure is sometimes pre -defined in order to determine changes in cerebrospinal fluid. The difference in pressure before removing the fluid and after the liquid is removed in the diagnosis of the brain tumor or infection.

neurologists or other tracksThe medical staff carries out lumbar punctures. The procedure usually takes place on the lower back. Doctors first clean, sterilize and sometimes anesthetize the area around the injection site. They put the needle between the vertebrae and move into the space filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Once the liquid is withdrawn, doctors remove the needle and cover the puncture with a sterile dressing.