my sweetheart was rushed into hospital last night
she is having a lumber puncture
can you tell me what this and is it dangerous
2007-03-01 23:34:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Your brain is covered by tissue called the Meninges and during development as a baby these extend as a covering for your spinal nerves or cord. To keep them lubricated there a liquid between the tissues called cerbro spinal fluid. This stops them touching each other.
When a lumbar puncture is done some of this liquid is drawn off for testing. This can cause immense headaches due to upsetting the delicate balance of fluid. Then there's the introduction of something foreign to such a sensitive area that can cause an infection.
The needle has to negotiate the spinal column to gain access to the space between the tissues and the lumbar area provides the easiest access as it is a larger area.
It's not strictly dangerous, just sensitive due to the area you are dealing with. After all it's where your nerves come from for your legs and it's connected to your brain. It's a fairly common procedure in hospital and often used to detect more serious infections as the fluid is so central.
It should be over in a few minutes. About ten minutes I presume there's no difficulty with her spine. Problems such as a scoliosis or spondylolyosis.
This could make it harder for the doctor to 'feel' his way to the correct area to draw the fluid off.
2007-03-02 10:53:01 · answer #1 · answered by russell B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lumbar puncture itself isn't dangerous. Or rather it's a fairly standard procedure so shouldn't cause any problems. All it means is that a needle is being pushed into the spine, in the same way that a needle is pushed into a vein when you get an injection.
There are two principal reasons for carrying out a lumbar puncture: to inject medications into the cerebro-spinal fluid, or more likely in this case, to extract a sample for testing. It's the only way to diagnose with certainty ailments such as meningitis. Don't worry too much though - it's probably just a test; the symptoms of meningitis might reveal nothing more than a migraine.
2007-03-01 23:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by Hypergluco 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i've had several & i would put the procedure up there with biopsies. No it's not dangerous just a bit Uncomfortable.
but it is worth if the Docs can tell from it, what the Problem is.
she will B made 2 lay-down flat 4 many hours, at least 8 to limit the chance of dehydration of the spine.
if u see her, make sure she stays laying down, i got up 2 quickly after 1 coz they Needed the Bed & i had the bloody headache from Hell.
take her something 2 drink, pref with a straw & make sure she's hydrated enough, the Nurses often just haven't got the time 2 make sure patients drink enough in hospitals & they're so DRY.
u look after her dude, she's gonna need u.
give her my best regards.
hope they sort her out soon.
:)
2007-03-01 23:46:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lumbar puncture is where they insert a surgical needle into the back below the spinal column into the space where the cord is. It is below the cord so there is no danger to it. They do that to draw samples to test for infection or to see what the pressure is in the cerebral spinal fluid. It is very safe. I have had it done 3 times due to a back injury. There is a very minor risk of them poking a spinal nerve (which extend below the cord, but that will not case any problem only a brief discomfort (happened to me on one of them, it feel like a sudden burning sensation at the end of the nerve. Mine was the one for the back of my knee).
2007-03-02 02:18:22 · answer #4 · answered by hayes_4206 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry too much, it is a large needle placed in the spine, it is a bit uncomfortable but not too bad, your sweetheart will have some pain in the back for a short while but she should recover quite soon, I have had a few of these due to a crushed vertebrae, things could be worse.
2007-03-01 23:48:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a procedure where a needle is inserted into the back in order to draw fluid from the spine. It's not pleasant and can give you a whopping headache. The only real danger is from infection, same as any invasive procedure.
2007-03-01 23:39:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
A lumbar puncture, is a small operation that takes spinal fluid out of your spinal column. It is very painful as they dont put you to sleep they just sedate you. She will have to lay flat on her back for a few hours afterwards. This test can detect quite a few illnesses. Im sure she will be fine just a bit uncomfortable xxx
2007-03-01 23:39:26 · answer #7 · answered by spensmum 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lumber punture is done to diagnose brain infection called Maningitis.
2007-03-01 23:40:06 · answer #8 · answered by babbumal 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It's a very large injection they put in the spine, not very pleasant at all.
2007-03-01 23:37:45 · answer #9 · answered by Margaret 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋