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

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

Damage to the spinal cord does not occur because the needle is inserted below the level at which the spinal cord ends. The needle may irritate a nerve root which results in transient numbness or tingling in the leg. This goes away when the needle is re-adjusted.