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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is performed in your lower back, in the lumbar region. During lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted between two lumbar bones (vertebrae) to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid — the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord to protect them from injury.
A lumbar puncture can help diagnose serious infections, such as meningitis; disorders of the central nervous system, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis; or cancers of the brain or spinal cord. Sometimes doctors use lumbar puncture to inject anesthetic medications or chemotherapy drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Johnson KS, et al. Lumbar puncture: Technique; indications; contraindications; and complications in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 6, 2009.
- Ferri FF. Procedures and interpretation of results. In: Ferri FF. Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166565701-5/0/1417/1207.html?tocnode=52510544&fromURL=1207.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04836-1..50017-4_1701. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- Simon RP, et al. Neurologic investigations. In: Simon RP, et al. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5151938. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Oct. 27, 2009.
- Sun C, et al. Post-lumbar puncture headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- Laboratory reference values. Cerebrospinal fluid. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; July 2008.
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