Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the anesthetic.
Discomfort during the test.
Headache after the test.
Bleeding into the spinal canal.
Brain herniation (if performed on a person with increased intracranial pressure), and resulting in brain damage or death.
Damage to the spinal cord (particularly if the person moves during the test).
Cisternal puncture or ventricular puncture carry additional risk of damage to the brainstem or brain tissue and risk of bleeding within the brain; resulting in incapacitation or death.
Special considerations:
This test should not be performed on people who may have increased intracranial pressure.
Review Date: 5/12/2005
Reviewed By: Chitra R. Uppaluri MD, Clinical Asst. Professor of Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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