| Lumbar puncture may be done to collect a sample of the liquid that cushions the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF), measure pressure inside the spinal column, administer medications, or administer contrast material for radiographic visualization for certain tests (myelography).
Cerebrospinal fluid is collected and analyzed to help diagnose a number of different diseases and conditions, including subarachnoid hemorrhage, infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, polio, certain cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and multiple sclerosis. A lumbar puncture is also used to measure the pressure of the CSF inside the spinal column in order to determine the presence of infection, tumors, or swelling in the brain. Certain medications such as local anesthetics for surgery, pain medications, antibiotics, corticosteroids, or cancer drugs may be administered directly into the spinal canal using a lumbar puncture. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor