Lumbar Puncture fact #3
Lumbar Puncture Fact #3
22 guage atraumatic needles are now recommended for diagnostic Lumbar Puncture (LP). An atraumatic needle has a rounded tip and is said to avoid cutting the fibres of the dura. If the fibres of the dura are separated without cutting, and the resulting hole is less likely to persist, the risk of causing sustained leak of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and low pressure headache is reduced. Some researchers have said that atraumatic needles stil create a tear in the dura, and that it is the local inflammation/healing reaction which reduces the risk of CSF leak.