Lumbar Puncture (cont.)
What is normal CSF?
Normal values for spinal fluid examination are as follows:
- Protein (15-45 mg/dl)
- Glucose (50-75 mg/dl)
- Cell count (0-5 mononuclear cells)
- Initial pressure (70-180 mm)
These normal values can be altered by injury or disease of the
brain, spinal cord or adjacent tissues. The values are routinely
evaluated during examination of the spinal fluid obtained from the
lumbar puncture. Additionally, spinal fluid is tested for infection
in the microbiology laboratory.
What diseases are diagnosed by examination of the
CSF?
Spinal fluid obtained from the lumbar puncture can be used to
diagnose many important diseases such as bleeding around the brain;
increased pressure from hydrocephalus; inflammation of the brain,
spinal cord, or adjacent tissues (encephalitis, meningitis); tumors
of brain or spinal cord, etc. Sometimes spinal fluid can indicate
diseases of the immune system, such as multiple sclerosis.
What are the risks of an LP?
When spinal fluid is removed during an LP, the risks include
headache, brain herniation, bleeding, and infection. Each of these
complications are uncommon with the exception of headache, which can
appear from hours to up to a day after LP. Headaches occur less
frequently when the patient remains lying flat 1-3 hours after the
procedure.
What are the benefits of an LP?
The benefits of the LP depend upon the exact situation for which it is performed, but an LP can provide lifesaving information.
Reference:
Harrison's
Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, edited by Eugene Braunwald, et. al., 2001.
Last Editorial Review: 9/21/2005
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