Can liquid puntion (LP) cause disk herniation? Posted: 01-29-07 04:53am
In October 2006 I presented to the ER with
severe left sided Headache. CVA was ruled
out with CT Scan. MD proceeded with LP.
CSF pressure was high, DX: pseudo tumor
cerebri. LP was very traumatic. It took
3 attempts to obtain CSF. It was very
painful in hips, back, and legs
bilaterally. Since then I have had severe
radiculopathy and have been diagnosed with
L4-L5 herniations. I am presently in PT
and have had 3 LESI. My question is: Do
you think the LP caused the herniations?
I am seeing a neurosurgeon and cannot get
a straight answer from him. Should I be
seeing an orthopedic surgeon instead? Any
suggestions? Pain is terrible and am
unable to work since the LP. Thank you
for any help you can provide.
Karen Windham, RN
|
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Doctor Answer
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Back Pain Answer A2260 Posted: 02-05-07 06:30am
It doesn’t seem likely that a spinal
liquid punition can cause disk herniation
because the needle during the procedure
reaches only the subarachnoidal space and
does not touch the intervertebral disks.
To cause a disk herniation, a needle would
have to pass through the spinal nerves
roots (cauda equine), posterior
longitudinal ligament and rupture the
disk’s fibrous annulus.
It is not clear from your question why
doctors performed the liqiod punition and
how they identified a “cerebral
pseudotumor”. Liquid punitions are
performed to confirm possible infections
(meningitis) or subarachnoidal
hemorrhages. A non-invasive diagnostic
procedures like an MRI or CT-scan should
be done first. Brain tumors or hemorrhage
can be seen on CT-scan or MRI. Infection
(meningitis or encephalitis) can be proven
only via liquid punition.
Disk herniations can be treated only
surgically and you may consult a
neurosurgeon or an orthopedist about the
treatment.
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