A doctor and at least one assistant will be in the room. You may be given a sedative to make you drowsy and relaxed. What happens during the test?Īlthough the fluid collection only takes a few minutes, the entire test takes about 20 minutes. You may receive a mild sedative, intravenous fluids, or additional medication before the procedure. The doctor or nurse will discuss the test with you, explain the risks, answer any questions, and have you sign consent forms. Before the test, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm. On the day of the exam you can eat a regular breakfast. This test is performed by a doctor in the office or in the hospital. The normal pressure of CSF is between 70 and 180 mm. In addition to testing for abnormal cells, the CSF pressure can be measured to determine if you have a condition called hydrocephalus.
The needle passes between the vertebrae and into the spinal canal.
#SPINAL TAP NEEDLE SKIN#
This fluid is produced in the ventricles of the brain and circulates through the subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord (see Anatomy of the Spine).ĭuring a lumbar puncture, a hollow needle is inserted through the skin in the lower back. Your brain and spinal cord are surrounded and bathed by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). (This test is similar to a blood test, in which a needle is inserted into an artery to collect blood for testing.) A lumbar puncture (LP), also called a spinal tap, is an invasive outpatient procedure used to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space in the spine.
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