Lumbar puncture (redirected from lumbar punctures)

lumbar puncture

n. Abbr. LP

Puncture into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Also called rachicentesis, rachiocentesis, spinal puncture, spinal tap.

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Lumbar puncture

A procedure in which the doctor inserts a small needle into the spinal cavity in the lower back to withdraw some spinal fluid for testing. Also known as a "spinal tap."

Mentioned in: Arteriovenous Malformations, Botulism, Central Nervous System Infections, Cryptococcosis, Leukemias, Chronic, Rabies, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

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lumbar puncture Spinal tap Neurology A diagnostic procedure in which a very long needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space between the 3^rd and 4^th lumbar vertebrae in order to obtain CSF; an LP is used to measure intracranial pressure, which may be ↑ 2º to hemorrhage, tumors, or edema, measure CSF chemistries–eg, glucose, proteins, diagnose inflammation of the CNS, especially infections–eg, meningitis, and stroke, spinal cord tumors and metastases to the CNS, or inject a dye into the spine before myelography Complications Uncommon; meningitis, bleeding into spinal canal; if intracranial pressure is ↑, removal of CSF from spinal canal may cause fatal herniation of cerebellar tonsils. See Cerebrospinal fluid.