title: Complications of lumbar puncture.
abstract: This article reviews historical aspects and the following complications of lumbar puncture: cerebral and spinal herniation, postdural puncture headache, cranial neuropathies, nerve root irritation, low back pain, stylet associated problems, infections, and bleeding complications. The incidence of postdural puncture headache can be greatly reduced by pointing the face of the bevel in the direction of the patient's side, replacing the stylet and rotating the needle 90;dg before withdrawing the needle, and using the Sprotte atraumatic needle, especially in high risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history