title: Perils and pitfalls of lumbar puncture in the emergency department.
abstract: Lumbar Puncture is a procedure commonly performed in the emergency department. It provides important diagnostic information but has a significant number of limitations and complications. This article reviews the role of lumbar puncture in the emergency department based on an extensive review of the current literature, focusing on the recognized contraindications and complications of the procedure and how they can be minimized. The interpretation of diagnostic tests performed on cerebrospinal fluid is also examined, highlighting those tests most commonly ordered from the emergency department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, St George Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. HoldgateAn@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holdgate
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cuthbert
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D000075202:Contraindications; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects