A lumbar puncture is wherein a thin needle is inserted in between the skeletal in your reduced spine. It need to not it is in painful, yet you may have actually a headache and also some ago pain for a couple of days.

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It's carried out in hospital by a physician or specialist nurse.

When a lumbar puncture might be needed

A lumbar puncture might be supplied to:

take a sample of fluid from her spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) or measure up the fluid's press – to assist diagnose a conditioninject medicine – such together painkillers, antibiotics or chemotherapyremove some fluid to alleviate pressure in the skull or spine

Before having a lumbar puncture

Your physician or nurse should define what's going to happen and also why you require a lumbar puncture.

A few days or weeks before the test:

On the day:

you deserve to eat, drink and also take medicine as normalyou'll usually must undress and change into a hospital gown before the procedure – you might likewise want to use the toilet

What happens throughout a lumbar puncture

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You usually lie on your side, with your foot pulled up and your chin tucked in
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This permits the needle to it is in inserted between the bones an ext easily
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The physician or nurse will:

Insert a slim needle through the skin, between 2 bones in the lower part of her spine. This have to not it is in painful, yet you might feel part pressure.Remove the needle once the procedure is finished and apply a small plaster or dressing.

How lengthy does a lumbar puncture take?

A lumbar puncture takes roughly 30 come 45 minutes, but you'll have to stay lying under at the hospital for at least another hour when the registered nurses monitor you.

You'll have the ability to go house the same day if you feel well enough, however you would not have the ability to drive yourself home.

Getting the results

The medical professional or nurse who performs the lumbar puncture can frequently tell you some of the outcomes straight away and also explain what they mean.

You might need to wait because that at the very least 48 hrs for the complete results. Part laboratory test results are available within a pair of hrs in one emergency.

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Side impacts of a lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture is usually a safe procedure and also serious side impacts are uncommon.

The most common side results are:

headaches, which can last for approximately a main – you'll be given painkillers in ~ the hospital if you need themswelling and also lower earlier pain wherein the needle was put – this need to get far better on its own after a couple of days and is generally nothing to worry about

Recovering native a lumbar puncture

While you're recovering from a lumbar puncture:


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drink lot of of fluids

lie down instead of sitting upright

shot drinks comprise caffeine, such as coffee, tea or cola – some people find this help to relieve the headaches