Читать книгу Neurology - Charles H. Clarke - Страница 161

The procedure should be explained and its potentially painful nature. Written consent should be obtained.

The principal risks relate first to the removal of CSF. CSF often continues to leak around the punctured lumbar dura. This leads to low pressure (low volume) headaches (Chapter 12) and exceptionally to intracranial subdural haematoma.

Secondly, there are local complications at the LP site:

 Infection and meningitis

 Trauma –pain, nerve root damage

 Bleeding, spinal epidural haematoma

 Arachnoiditis (Chapter 16).

LP should follow the established procedure. LP should not be performed in the presence of raised intracranial pressure without prior brain imaging and a clear risk appraisal. Inappropriate intrathecal injection of drugs can have fatal consequences.