Lumbar Puncture fact #4
Lumbar Puncture fact #4
Manometry is the measurement of CSF pressure using a 40cm long plastic gauge. The most common error is not to attemmpt to measure pressure! Measuring pressure is essential in patients presenting with acute headache, as a high or low opeinng pressure may be the only indication that there is a treatable disorder. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder of elevated CSF presure, and all other CSF tests will be normal. Similarly, Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension is a disorder of abnormally low intracranial pressure and all other CSF tests will be normal except for an abnormally low pressure (or CSF is not obtained at all despite good technique - also called a dry tap).
Fact # 4 - always measure opening pressure, it may be the only chance you have to clinch an important diagnosis.