Why should you not do lumbar puncture with increased intracranial pressure?

Why should you not do lumbar puncture with increased intracranial pressure?

Conditions representing (potential) contraindications for LP: the risk for cerebral herniation including space-occupying lesion with mass effect, abnormal intracranial pressure due to increased CSF pressure and Arnold-Chiari malformation, increased bleeding risk (thrombocytopenia, coagulopathies, anticoagulant drugs).

What is a high opening pressure for lumbar puncture?

The currently accepted upper limit of normal recum- bent CSF opening pressure is between 18 and 20 cm CSF.

What does high opening pressure mean?

Elevated opening pressure correlates with increased risk of morbidity and mortality in bacterial and fungal meningitis. In bacterial meningitis, elevated opening pressure (reference range, 80-200 mm H2 O) suggests increased intracranial pressure (ICP) from cerebral edema.

Can a lumbar puncture paralyze you?

There is no threat to the nerve or experiencing paralysis since the needle is inserted where the spinal cord ends. Thus, the simple answer to your question is no; it doesn’t cause paralysis. Additionally, the spinal tap can help diagnose severe infection cases like meningitis or other central nervous system problems.

What is considered high spinal fluid pressure?

The diagnosis is also confirmed by detecting a high spinal CSF pressure reading, usually greater than 250 mmH2O or 25 cmH2O (200-250 mmH2O or 20-25 cmH2O is considered borderline high) and normal laboratory and imaging studies including CT scans and MRIs.

What is normal pressure for spinal fluid?

Normal Results Normal values typically range as follows: Pressure: 70 to 180 mm H2O. Appearance: clear, colorless. CSF total protein: 15 to 60 mg/100 mL.

What happens when a lumbar puncture goes wrong?

When spinal fluid is removed during an LP, the risks include headache from a persistent spinal fluid leak, 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 a lumbar puncture.

When is a lumbar puncture contraindicated?

Absolute contraindications for performing a LP include infected skin over the puncture site, increased intracranial pressure (ICP) from any space-occupying lesion (mass, abscess), and trauma or mass to lumbar vertebrae.

What does high pressure in spinal fluid mean?

Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss. If the elevated CSF pressure remains untreated, permanent visual loss or blindness may result.

What causes high opening pressure?

Disorders that dysregulate production, absorption, or flow of the CSF can cause an elevated or decreased OP. In addition, infection, inflammation, and hemorrhage can also increase the OP.