What are the contraindications for lumbar puncture?

What are the contraindications for lumbar puncture?

Absolute contraindications for performing a LP include infected skin over the puncture site, increased intracranial pressure (ICP) from any space-occupying lesion (mass, abscess), and trauma or mass to lumbar vertebrae.

Why is raised ICP a contraindication for lumbar puncture?

Patients with increased ICP from mass lesions often display decreased levels of consciousness, focal neurological signs or papilledema on physical exam. Any of these findings make lumbar puncture contraindicated until further evaluation can be undertaken.

Is tethered cord contraindicated to lumbar puncture?

Congenital spine abnormalities and spinal cord abnormalities (e.g., tethered cord), or local skin infections at the LP site can be contraindications to perform an LP.

What needle is used for lumbar puncture?

Twenty-two-gauge, 90-mm disposable lumbar puncture needles with trocar, or 22-gauge 150 or 250 mm Chiba needles are used for deep biopsies. They are sufficiently rigid and the trocar prevents contamination during the passage through surrounding tissues.

What are the possible complications of a lumbar puncture?

What are possible complications of lumbar puncture (LP)?

  • Post–spinal puncture headache.
  • Bloody tap.
  • Dry tap.
  • Infection.
  • Hemorrhage.
  • Dysesthesia.
  • Post–dural puncture cerebral herniation.

What are the complications of lumbar puncture?

Risks

  • Post-lumbar puncture headache. Around 25% of people who have undergone a lumbar puncture develop a headache afterward due to a leak of fluid into nearby tissues.
  • Back discomfort or pain. You may feel pain or tenderness in your lower back after the procedure.
  • Bleeding.
  • Brainstem herniation.

Is lumbar puncture contraindicated in head injury?

Increased intracranial pressure (pressure in the skull) is a contraindication, due to risk of brain matter being compressed and pushed toward the spine. Sometimes, lumbar puncture cannot be performed safely (for example due to a severe bleeding tendency)….

Lumbar puncture
eMedicine 80773

Is aspirin a contraindication for lumbar puncture?

Aspirin has not been shown to increase the risk of serious bleeding following minor procedures such as LP and so can be continued safely.

Is Papilledema a contraindication for lumbar puncture?

Papilloedema is not always an adequate predictor of potential complications from lumbar puncture, and many clinicians are using computed tomography (CT) before lumbar puncture in an effort to identify more accurately the “at risk” patient.

Is DIC a contraindication for lumbar puncture?

Increased intracranial pressure (pressure in the skull) is a contraindication, due to risk of brain matter being compressed and pushed toward the spine. Sometimes, lumbar puncture cannot be performed safely (for example due to a severe bleeding tendency)….

Lumbar puncture
MeSH D013129
eMedicine 80773

Why is LP contraindicated in meningococcal Septicaemia?

1 While fully understanding the need to get as much information as possible, the benefits of isolating the causative organism need to be weighed against the risk of causing clinical deterioration in a patient who may have cardiovascular compromise and/or raised intracranial pressure, both of which are recognised …