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Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

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CSF total protein - Risks

What the risks are:

Risks of lumbar puncture include:

  • Allegic reaction to the anesthetic
  • Discomfort during the test
  • Headache after the test
  • Bleeding into the spinal canal
  • Infection

Brain herniation may occur if a lumbar puncture is done on a person with a mass in the brain (such as a tumor or abscess). This can result in brain damage or death. A lumbar puncture is not done if an exam or other tests show signs of a tumor or abscess.

Some persons have temporary leg numbness or tingling due to irritation of a nerve root by the needle.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/30/2007
  • Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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