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Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Can liquid puntion (LP) cause disk herniation?
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Q: Can liquid puntion (LP) cause disk herniation?
asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 29th, 2007
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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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on February 5th, 2007
Back Pain Answer A2260
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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