A procedure in which a hollow needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal canal to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid or to inject drugs or other substances. Lumbar puncture is usually carried out to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid in order to diagnose and investigate disorders of the brain and spinal cord (such as meningitis and subarachnoid haemorrhage). The procedure takes about 15 minutes and is carried out under local anaesthesia.
Lumbar puncture |
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