CSC Diagnostics

Spinal Tap

A spinal tap is done in order to get a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.  The fluid is usually very clear.  It contains proteins, sugar, and other substances that can be found in blood.  It typically does not contain red blood cells or many white blood cells.  A spinal tap checks the pressure and content of the fluid. Signals that there may be problems include: evidence of bleeding, an increase in white blood cells (infection fighting cells, dead cells are "pus"), an increase in protein level, or inflammation. This could mean infection, tumors, or a hemorrhage around the brain or spinal cord. To obtain the fluid sample, a needle will be inserted into the spinal canal in the lumbar region.

Click Here For More Information