Lumbar Puncture

A lumbar puncture is a procedure that uses X-ray guidance to assist in the removal of a sample of spinal fluid for analysis and measure the pressure in the space around the spinal canal.

Before Your Procedure

• We will be using radiation for this exam. Please notify your doctor if you are pregnant. Some medications may increase the risk of bleeding after your procedure. Please check with your doctor about possibly holding medications such as aspirin, Coumadin (warfarin), Ticlid, Pletal, Aggrenox, Plavix and NSAIDS such as naproxen and ibuprofen, before your procedure. You may resume your medications the day after your procedure.
• If you are not on a fluid restriction, drink plenty of fluids the day before the exam.
• You may continue to take your normal medications, including pain medication.
• You will need to arrange for a driver to take you home because you are not allowed to drive after the procedure.
• You will be scheduled to arrive in Outpatient Services 1 hour before the exam.

During Your Procedure

• You will lie on your stomach on the X-ray table.
• A small area on your lower back will be washed and numbed with a local anesthetic.
• A needle is inserted into the spinal canal to obtain samples of spinal fluid.
• The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

After Your Procedure

• You will be observed in Outpatient Services for 3 hours.
• Occasionally a headache may develop. To minimize the possibility of a headache after the procedure, stay on bedrest with your head flat or slightly elevated until the morning.
• You can be up in a car for the ride home, up for meals and to go to the bathroom.
• Drink plenty of fluids during the next 24 hours.
• Notify your doctor of any signs of infection at the puncture site such as redness, swelling and drainage or fever.
• Also, notify your doctor of blurred vision or a stiff neck.
• If nausea and vomiting occur, notify your doctor before taking any medications to relieve these symptoms.
• Your doctor will be contacted with the results of your test and will discuss the results with you.