Indications of CSF examination

CSF examination is done in the following situations

• Infections: meningitis, encephalitis
• Inflammatory conditions : Sarcoidosis, neuro syphilis, SLE
• Infiltrative conditions: Leukamia, lymphoma, carcinomatous - meningitis
• Administration of drugs in CSF (Therapeutic  aim)
• Antibiotics: To give antibiotics in case of meningitis
• Antimitotics administation
• Diagnostic aim: Myelography, Cisternography

Anaesthetics are also given through lumbar puncture

Contra-indications for Lumbar puncture

• Local skin infection  over proposed puncture site is an absolute contraindication for LP
• Raised intracranial pressure (ICP), exception to this situation is pseudotumor cerebri
• If there is a suspicion of spinal cord mass or intracranial mass lesion (based on lateralizing neurological findings or papilledema)
• Uncontrolled bleeding disorders
• Spinal column deformities (may require fluoroscopic assistance)
• Lack of patient cooperation.