Cost of lumbar puncture by state

What is a lumbar puncture?

A lumbar puncture is a procedure that is used to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The pressure, color, and content of this fluid can change in the setting of certain medical conditions.

A lumbar puncture is performed by placing a needle into the lowest part of the back. This location is at the base of the spine just above the buttocks. It may be done by feeling alone, with an ultrasound machine, or under the guidance of an x-ray. There is no one method that is the best; the method used will depend upon the shape and size of your body, the physician performing the procedure, and how urgently the results are needed.

What diseases can be diagnosed with a lumbar puncture?

A lumbar puncture is most commonly used to diagnose meningitis, an infection of the layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. Infections in these areas are treated much differently than infections in other parts of the body as they can rapidly lead to permanent disability or death. That is why this extreme-sounding procedure is performed instead of just giving antibiotics.

There are other conditions that lumbar puncture is often used to diagnose:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Cancers of the brain or spine
• Diseases that cause paralysis
• Other rare bacterial, fungal, and viral infections

In some cases lumbar punctures are also used to treat medical conditions:

• Cancers of the spinal cord (spinal chemotherapy injections)
• Pain from childbirth (an epidural is a form of lumbar puncture)
• Severe chronic headaches from certain conditions

How long do lumbar puncture results take?

Some of the results from lumbar punctures, like those that are used to diagnose meningitis, are available within minutes in an emergency room. Others, like those used to diagnose cancer, take days or weeks depending upon the exact test being ordered.

Why was my lumbar puncture so painful?

The pain from a lumbar puncture varies greatly based on the patient. There is no painless way to perform a lumbar puncture as there are a large number of nerves surrounding the spine and spinal cord. The skin and muscles surrounding the area where the needle is inserted are numbed up in the same way that the teeth are numbed before a dental procedure.  If you are having pain during the procedure let your doctor know as they will be able to provide additional pain medications.

How long do you have to lay flat after a lumbar puncture?

Lying flat is recommended for 30 minutes to one hour after a lumbar puncture. Removing some of the fluid that normally cushions the brain can lead to a nagging headache. This headache is not dangerous but may be uncomfortable. The risk of this headache is dramatically reduced by lying flat after the procedure.

What can go wrong with a lumbar puncture?

The most common complication of lumbar puncture is a headache after the procedure. The second most common complication is a headache that lasts for hours to days. This is known as a “post lumbar puncture headache” and is treated with caffeine and over-the-counter pain medications. In some rare cases, this headache is due to leaking CSF and a repeat lumbar puncture may be used to seal the hole.