[Lumbar puncture: its indications, contraindications, complications and technique]. / Punción lumbar: indicaciones, contraindicaciones, complicaciones y técnica de realización.

INTRODUCTION: Although first described over 100 years ago, lumbar puncture is still an important tool in the diagnosis of neurological diseases. In this article we review its indications, contraindications, the technique for carrying it out, the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid and possible complications. DEVELOPMENT: The lumbar puncture has diagnostic and therapeutic indications. The chief diagnostic indications include infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases affecting the central nervous system. Complications are infrequent, except for headaches and low back pain, but can be severe. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid must include a cell count and determination of the glucose and protein concentrations. The other analytical studies of cerebrospinal fluid must be conducted according to the diagnostic suspicion. CONCLUSION: The lumbar puncture in expert hands is a safe test. The health professional should be suitably familiar with its contraindications, the regional anatomy and the technique used to perform it.

Punción lumbar: indicaciones, contraindicaciones, complicaciones y técnica de realización / Lumbar puncture: Its indications, conraindications, complications and technique

Aunque se describió hace más de 100 años, la punción lumbar continúa siendo una importante herramientadiagnóstica en las enfermedades neurológicas. En este artículo se revisan sus indicaciones, contraindicaciones, técnica de realización, análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo y posibles complicaciones. Desarrollo. La punción lumbar tiene indicacionesdiagnósticas y terapéuticas. Las principales indicaciones diagnósticas incluyen enfermedades infecciosas, inflamatorias y neoplásicas que afectan al sistema nervioso central. Las complicaciones, con la excepción de la cefalea y la lumbalgia, son infrecuentespero pueden ser graves. El análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo debe incluir un conteo celular y la determinación de la concentración de glucosa y proteínas. El resto de los estudios analíticos en el líquido cefalorraquídeo debe realizarse en funciónde la sospecha diagnóstica. Conclusión. La punción lumbar en manos expertas es una prueba segura. Es necesario conocer adecuadamente sus contraindicaciones, la anatomía regional y su técnica de realización

Although first described over 100 years ago, lumbar puncture is still an important tool in thediagnosis of neurological diseases. In this article we review its indications, contraindications, the technique for carrying it out, the analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid and possible complications. Development. The lumbar puncture has diagnostic andtherapeutic indications. The chief diagnostic indications include infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases affecting the central nervous system. Complications are infrequent, except for headaches and low back pain, but can be severe. Analysisof the cerebrospinal fluid must include a cell count and determination of the glucose and protein concentrations. The other analytical studies of cerebrospinal fluid must be conducted according to the diagnostic suspicion. Conclusion. The lumbar puncture in expert hands is a safe test. The health professional should be suitably familiar with its contraindications, the regional anatomy and the technique used to perform it