LUMBAR PUNCTURE AND CSF EXAMINATION - ANSWERS TO 3 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache has been shown to be re duced by using a higher-gauge (smaller-bore) needle and orienting the needle bevel parallel to the dural fibers. Incidence of headache is th e same in patients given bed rest as in patients who are mobilized imm ediately. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination of patients with seizu res of unclear cause is indicated. However, pleocytosis must be ruled out by clinical evaluation and CSF studies. Although lumbar puncture i s often advocated for patients presenting with dementia, it usually is not helpful in finding a specific cause if the dementia is long-stand ing.