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The Ulster Medical Journal May 2014Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture is one of the most commonly performed invasive tests in clinical medicine. Evaluation of an acute headache and investigation of inflammatory... (Review)
Review
Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture is one of the most commonly performed invasive tests in clinical medicine. Evaluation of an acute headache and investigation of inflammatory or infectious disease of the nervous system are the most common indications. Serious complications are rare, and correct technique will minimise diagnostic error and maximise patient comfort. We review the technique of diagnostic Lumbar Puncture including anatomy, needle selection, needle insertion, measurement of opening pressure, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) specimen handling and after care. We also make some quality improvement suggestions for those designing services incorporating diagnostic Lumbar Puncture.
Topics: Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Reproducibility of Results; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 25075138
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista de NeurologiaAlthough first described over 100 years ago, lumbar puncture is still an important tool in the diagnosis of neurological diseases. In this article we review its... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Although first described over 100 years ago, lumbar puncture is still an important tool in the diagnosis of neurological diseases. In this article we review its indications, contraindications, the technique for carrying it out, the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid and possible complications.
DEVELOPMENT
The lumbar puncture has diagnostic and therapeutic indications. The chief diagnostic indications include infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases affecting the central nervous system. Complications are infrequent, except for headaches and low back pain, but can be severe. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid must include a cell count and determination of the glucose and protein concentrations. The other analytical studies of cerebrospinal fluid must be conducted according to the diagnostic suspicion.
CONCLUSION
The lumbar puncture in expert hands is a safe test. The health professional should be suitably familiar with its contraindications, the regional anatomy and the technique used to perform it.
Topics: Cerebrospinal Fluid; Contraindications; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 17918111
DOI: No ID Found -
Practical Neurology Dec 2018Lumbar puncture (LP) is an important and frequently performed invasive procedure for the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions. There is little in the... (Review)
Review
Lumbar puncture (LP) is an important and frequently performed invasive procedure for the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions. There is little in the neurological literature on the topic of periprocedural management of antithrombotics in patients undergoing LP. Current practice is therefore largely extrapolated from guidelines produced by anaesthetic bodies on neuraxial anaesthesia, haematology groups advising on periprocedural management of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, and by neuroradiology on imaging-guided spinal procedures. This paper summarises the existing literature on the topic and offers recommendations to guide periprocedural antithrombotic management for LP, based on the consolidation of the best available evidence. .
Topics: Fibrinolytic Agents; Guidelines as Topic; Hemorrhage; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologists; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 30154234
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001820 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2016Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication of lumbar punctures. Several theories have identified the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication of lumbar punctures. Several theories have identified the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the hole in the dura as a cause of this side effect. It is therefore necessary to take preventive measures to avoid this complication. Prolonged bed rest has been used to treat PDPH once it has started, but it is unknown whether prolonged bed rest can also be used to prevent it. Similarly, the value of administering fluids additional to those of normal dietary intake to restore the loss of CSF produced by the puncture is unknown. This review is an update of a previously published review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Issue 7, 2013) on "Posture and fluids for preventing post-dural puncture headache".
OBJECTIVES
To assess whether prolonged bed rest combined with different body and head positions, as well as administration of supplementary fluids after lumbar puncture, prevent the onset of PDPH in people undergoing lumbar puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS, as well as trial registries up to February 2015.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We identified randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of bed rest versus immediate mobilization, head-down tilt versus horizontal position, prone versus supine positions during bed rest, and administration of supplementary fluids versus no/less supplementation, as prevention measures for PDPH in people who have undergone lumbar puncture.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed the studies for eligibility through the web-based software EROS (Early Review Organizing Software). Two different review authors independently assessed risk of bias using the criteria outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We resolved any disagreements by consensus. We extracted data on cases of PDPH, severe PDPH, and any headache after lumbar puncture and performed intention-to-treat analyses and sensitivity analyses by risk of bias. We assessed the evidence using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) and created a 'Summary of findings' table.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 24 trials with 2996 participants in this updated review. The number of participants in each trial varied from 39 to 382. Most of the included studies compared bed rest versus immediate mobilization, and only two assessed the effects of supplementary fluids versus no supplementation. We judged the overall risk of bias of the included studies as low to unclear. The overall quality of evidence was low to moderate, downgraded because of the risk of bias assessment in most cases. The primary outcome in our review was the presence of PDPH.There was low quality evidence for an absence of benefits associated with bed rest compared with immediate mobilization on the incidence of severe PDPH (risk ratio (RR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.41; participants = 1568; studies = 9) and moderate quality evidence on the incidence of any headache after lumbar puncture (RR 1.16; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.32; participants = 2477; studies = 18). Furthermore, bed rest probably increased PDPH (RR 1.24; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.48; participants = 1519; studies = 12) compared with immediate mobilization. An analysis restricted to the most methodologically rigorous trials (i.e. those with low risk of bias in allocation method, missing data and blinding of outcome assessment) gave similar results. There was low quality evidence for an absence of benefits associated with fluid supplementation on the incidence of severe PDPH (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.26 to 1.73; participants = 100; studies = 1) and PDPH (RR 1; 95% CI 0.59 to 1.69; participants = 100; studies = 1), and moderate quality evidence on the incidence of any headache after lumbar puncture (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.34; participants = 200; studies = 2). We did not expect other adverse events and did not assess them in this review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Since the previous version of this review, we found one new study for inclusion, but the conclusion remains unchanged. We considered the quality of the evidence for most of the outcomes assessed in this review to be low to moderate. As identified studies had shortcomings on aspects related to randomization and blinding of outcome assessment, we therefore downgraded the quality of the evidence. In general, there was no evidence suggesting that routine bed rest after dural puncture is beneficial for the prevention of PDPH onset. The role of fluid supplementation in the prevention of PDPH remains unclear.
Topics: Bed Rest; Early Ambulation; Fluid Therapy; Head; Humans; Patient Positioning; Post-Dural Puncture Headache; Posture; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 26950232
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009199.pub3 -
Brain Research Jul 2020Gene therapy clinical trials for neurological disorders are ongoing using intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector directly into the cerebral spinal... (Review)
Review
Gene therapy clinical trials for neurological disorders are ongoing using intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector directly into the cerebral spinal fluid. Preliminary findings from these trials and results from extensive animal studies provides compelling data supporting the safety and benefit of intrathecal delivery of AAV vectors for inherited neurological disorders. Intrathecal delivery can be achieved by a lumbar puncture (LP) or intracisterna magna (ICM) injection, although ICM is not commonly used in clinical practice due to increased procedural risk. Few studies directly compared these delivery methods and there are limited reports on transduction of the PNS. To further test the utility of ICM or LP delivery for neuropathies, we performed a head to head comparison of AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors expressing GFP injected into the cisterna magna or lumbar subarachnoid space in mice. We report that an intrathecal gene delivery of AAV9 in mice leads to stable transduction of neurons and glia in the brain and spinal cord and has a widespread distribution that includes components of the PNS. Vector expression was notably higher in select brain and PNS regions following ICM injection, while higher amounts of vector was found in the lower spinal cord and peripheral organs following LP injection. These findings support that intrathecal AAV9 delivery is a translationally relevant delivery method for inherited neuropathies.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cisterna Magna; Dependovirus; Female; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genetic Therapy; Genetic Vectors; Injections, Spinal; Lumbar Vertebrae; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Motor Neurons; Neuroglia; Spinal Cord; Spinal Puncture; Transduction, Genetic
PubMed: 32289279
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146832 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Feb 2015The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients.
BACKGROUND
The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients.
METHODS
These guidelines are based on a systematic review of randomized, clinical trials and observational studies (1900 to September 2014) that reported clinical outcomes on patients receiving prophylactic or therapeutic platelet transfusions. An expert panel reviewed the data and developed recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.
RECOMMENDATION 1
The AABB recommends that platelets should be transfused prophylactically to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding in hospitalized adult patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. The AABB recommends transfusing hospitalized adult patients with a platelet count of 10 × 109 cells/L or less to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding. The AABB recommends transfusing up to a single apheresis unit or equivalent. Greater doses are not more effective, and lower doses equal to one half of a standard apheresis unit are equally effective. (Grade: strong recommendation; moderate-quality evidence).
RECOMMENDATION 2
The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective central venous catheter placement with a platelet count less than 20 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; low-quality evidence).
RECOMMENDATION 3
The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having elective diagnostic lumbar puncture with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).
RECOMMENDATION 4
The AABB suggests prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients having major elective nonneuraxial surgery with a platelet count less than 50 × 109 cells/L. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).
RECOMMENDATION 5
The AABB recommends against routine prophylactic platelet transfusion for patients who are nonthrombocytopenic and have cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The AABB suggests platelet transfusion for patients having bypass who exhibit perioperative bleeding with thrombocytopenia and/or evidence of platelet dysfunction. (Grade: weak recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).
RECOMMENDATION 6
The AABB cannot recommend for or against platelet transfusion for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy who have intracranial hemorrhage (traumatic or spontaneous). (Grade: uncertain recommendation; very-low-quality evidence).
Topics: Adult; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Central Venous Catheters; Elective Surgical Procedures; Hemorrhage; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Platelet Transfusion; Spinal Puncture; Thrombocytopenia
PubMed: 25383671
DOI: 10.7326/M14-1589 -
Neonatology 2021The diagnosis of neonatal meningitis often rests on microscopic and biochemical findings in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There is ongoing uncertainty about age-related...
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of neonatal meningitis often rests on microscopic and biochemical findings in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). There is ongoing uncertainty about age-related normal values for CSF findings in neonates, and many previous studies have included infants in whom antibiotics were administered before lumbar puncture or in whom viral meningitis was not excluded.
METHODS
A systematic search was done using MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify original studies which investigated CSF normal values in either healthy neonates or febrile neonates in whom bacterial and viral meningitis were reliably excluded.
RESULTS
We identified seven studies investigating 270 term and 96 preterm neonates. There were minimal differences between preterm and term neonates in the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count and glucose concentration. In contrast, the CSF neutrophil count and protein concentration were influenced by gestational and chronological age. In the four studies that reported individual patient data, in 95% of cases the CSF WBC count was <12 cells/μL in preterm and <10 cells/μL in term neonates, the neutrophil count was <16 and 8 cells/μL, and the protein concentration was <210 and 110 mg/dL, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The normal range for CSF parameters in neonates is different to that in older infants, and some parameters are influenced by gestational and chronological age. CSF parameters alone are not sufficiently reliable to exclude meningitis.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Leukocyte Count; Meningitis; Reference Values; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 34818234
DOI: 10.1159/000517630 -
Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of... Nov 2018The Alzheimer's Association convened a multidisciplinary workgroup to develop appropriate use criteria to guide the safe and optimal use of the lumbar puncture procedure...
INTRODUCTION
The Alzheimer's Association convened a multidisciplinary workgroup to develop appropriate use criteria to guide the safe and optimal use of the lumbar puncture procedure and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for Alzheimer's disease pathology detection in the diagnostic process.
METHODS
The workgroup, experienced in the ethical use of lumbar puncture and CSF analysis, developed key research questions to guide the systematic review of the evidence and developed clinical indications commonly encountered in clinical practice based on key patient groups in whom the use of lumbar puncture and CSF may be considered as part of the diagnostic process. Based on their expertise and interpretation of the evidence from systematic review, members rated each indication as appropriate or inappropriate.
RESULTS
The workgroup finalized 14 indications, rating 6 appropriate and 8 inappropriate.
DISCUSSION
In anticipation of the emergence of more reliable CSF analysis platforms, the manuscript offers important guidance to health-care practitioners and suggestions for implementation and future research.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Biomarkers; Delphi Technique; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 30316776
DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.07.220 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Apr 2012Headache is a complication of lumbar puncture that has been known for more than a hundred years. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the incidence and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Headache is a complication of lumbar puncture that has been known for more than a hundred years. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the incidence and symptoms of, the risk factors for and the treatment of this type of headache.
METHOD
The article is based on a literature search in PubMed for studies on headache after lumbar puncture followed by discretionary selection of publications.
RESULTS
Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is characterised by the occurrence of a headache with a significant orthostatic component within 5 days of a lumbar puncture. The incidence depends on a number of factors. Younger women with a previous history of headaches appear to be at highest risk. The incidence can be significantly reduced by using a thin lumbar puncture needle with an atraumatic tip. The condition is self-limiting and harmless, but leads to significant morbidity. Caffeine alleviates the symptoms and reduces the course of the illness. When bed rest and caffeine prove ineffective, an epidural blood patch works well for the majority, but there is no consensus on when such treatment should be offered.
INTERPRETATION
Headache frequently occurs after lumbar puncture. There is substantial evidence for recommending the use of a thin, atraumatic needle to reduce the incidence. For practical reasons, a needle thinner than 22 G is not suitable for diagnostic lumbar puncture.
Topics: Adult; Blood Patch, Epidural; Caffeine; Female; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Needles; Post-Dural Puncture Headache; Risk Factors; Spinal Puncture
PubMed: 22511093
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.11.0832 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Aug 2016The use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents has largely increased. Diagnostic lumbar puncture in patients taking these drugs represents a challenge considering the... (Review)
Review
The use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents has largely increased. Diagnostic lumbar puncture in patients taking these drugs represents a challenge considering the opposing risks of bleeding and thrombotic complications. To date there are no controlled trials, specific guidelines, nor clear recommendations in this area. In the present review we make some recommendations about lumbar puncture in patients using these drugs. Our recommendations take into consideration the pharmacology of these drugs, the thrombotic risk according to the underlying disease, and the urgency in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Evaluating such information and a rigorous monitoring of neurological symptoms after lumbar puncture are crucial to minimize the risk of hemorrhage associated neurological deficits. An individualized patient decision-making and an effective communication between the assistant physician and the responsible for conducting the lumbar puncture are essential to minimize potential risks.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Spinal Puncture; Thrombosis
PubMed: 27556380
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20160098