Spinal Tap at MEDICOVER MULTI-SPECIALITY HOSPITAL CHANDANAGAR, Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad

Spinal Tap or Lumbar Puncture is performed in the lumbar region. A needle is inserted in between two Lumbar vertebrae to draw a sample of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).

Symptoms

Spinal Tap may be required in the following conditions:

Myelitis
Meningitis
Cancer of brain or spinal cord
Multiple sclerosis
Subarachoid haemorrhage

Diagnosis

Before a Spinal Tap, the following methods of diagnosis need to be performed:

Myelography
CT Scan
MRI

Treatment

Local anesthesia is administered to anesthetize the skin. A hollow needle is then inserted into the sub-arachnoid space to collect small amount of CSF in test tubes. Any medication if necessary is also administered through it. After the needle is removed, adhesive bandage is placed over the site of injection.

Risks

The risks involved in a Spinal Tap procedure are:

CSF may leak
Bleeding in the spinal canal
Tingling, Numbness and Headache

After Procedure

After a Spinal Tap, it is advised that activity is limited for 24 hours.