The needle is removed after the medication has been injected or fluid is removed. You may feel some discomfort or have a minor headache. The spinal cord is not touched by the needle during the test. The spinal canal is penetrated and fluid is collected or medication is injected. Once the area has been accessed for fluid, the stylet is removed, leaving behind a hollow needle to collect CSF.
#SPINAL TAP SIDE EFFECT SKIN#
The spinal cord is avoided, and only the sac of fluid between the vertebrae is accessed.This hollow needle often includes a stylet inside it that allows the doctor to access the area without removing any skin or tissue. When the area is numb, a needle is inserted in the lower back between two lumbar vertebrae. A local anesthetic ( pain-relieving medication) will be injected into the area on your back. If this procedure is used, you will lay flat on your stomach.Īfter cleaning your back with an antiseptic, sterile cloths (called drapes) will be placed around the area. A spinal tap also may occasionally be performed by an interventional radiologist using an X-ray machine. Make arrangements for transportation, as you should not drive immediately after the test.ĭuring a spinal tap, you generally will either lie on your side with your knees drawn as close to your chest as possible and your chin toward your chest, called a fetal position, or sit with your arms and head resting on a table.Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex or any medications.Ask your doctor for specific guidelines about discontinuing alcohol use, aspirin products, and blood-thinning drugs before the procedure.There are no dietary or fluid restrictions before the test. Maintain your regular eating schedule.NOTE: Testing of the CSF may not be necessary if the spinal tap procedure is done to inject a drug. There may also be specialized tests performed on the CSF to check things such as abnormal proteins and autoimmune antibodies. The presence of bacteria, fungi, or abnormal cells.
Diagnose conditions of the brain such as infection or inflammation.One test for epilepsy is a spinal tap - also called a lumbar puncture - that is performed by withdrawing fluid surrounding the spinal cord (called the cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) and examining it in a lab.
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