Director Neurology
Lumbar puncture (LP), also called a spinal tap, is a diagnostic procedure in which a thin needle is inserted between the lower lumbar vertebrae to access the subarachnoid space and collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF analysis is diagnostic for bacterial and viral meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage (xanthochromia), multiple sclerosis (oligoclonal bands), Guillain-Barré syndrome, cryptococcal meningitis, carcinomatous meningitis, and normal pressure hydrocephalus (raised opening pressure). At Medanta Hospital, Sector 50, Noida, the Team Sushrut neurology and neurocritical care team performs lumbar puncture for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Symptoms
Treatments
Dr. Namita Kaul
Director – Neurology
M.D. DNB
Dr. Kapil Singhal
Director – Neurology
M.D. D.M
Dr. Manish Marda
Director – Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care
MD, DM
Is lumbar puncture painful?
Local anaesthetic is administered before the needle insertion, making the procedure minimally uncomfortable for most patients. Patients may feel pressure during the procedure. The main complication is post-dural puncture headache (positional headache worse when sitting up) in approximately 10–30% of patients, which typically resolves within 24–48 hours with rest and hydration. Blood patch (epidural injection of patient's own blood) resolves persistent post-LP headache.
When should lumbar puncture not be performed?
LP is contraindicated when: there is raised intracranial pressure with signs of impending herniation (papilloedema, altered consciousness with focal signs) — brain imaging must come first; there is a coagulopathy or the patient is on anticoagulants; there is local infection at the LP site; or there is an epidural mass lesion at the LP level. A CT brain is performed before LP in patients with altered consciousness, papilloedema, focal neurological signs, or immunocompromise.
How long do LP results take?
Basic CSF parameters (cell count, protein, glucose) are available within hours. Gram stain and initial culture result within 24 hours. Viral PCR (HSV, enterovirus) takes 24–48 hours. CSF culture full sensitivity takes 5–7 days. Cytology (cancer cells) takes 3–5 days. Oligoclonal bands for MS take 5–7 days.
Is lumbar puncture available in Noida?
Yes. Lumbar puncture is performed by the Team Sushrut neurology team (Dr. Kapil Singhal, Dr. Namita Kaul) at Medanta Hospital, Sector 50, Noida. CSF analysis is processed in Medanta's accredited laboratory. Contact: +91 98103 24401.
