CSF cell count Health Article

What the risks are

Risks of lumbar puncture include:

• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic
• Discomfort during the test
• Headache after the test
• Bleeding into the spinal canal
• Infection

Brain herniation may occur if performed on a person with a mass in the brain such as a tumor or abscess. This can result in brain damage or death. For this reason, a lumbar puncture is not done if other tests show signs of a tumor or abscess.

There may be temporary leg discomfort if a nerve root is irritated by the needle. This passes when the needle is withdrawn.