How safe is going for a brain fluid test after a stroke?
Patient: 77 yr had stroke in nov2013, left side paralyzed. 2 was ago went to hospital and diagnosed with UTI, pneumonia, MRSA in nose, and possibly had mild stroke in 1 -2. Wk ago which was unnoticible . She does not speak, respond, and closes her eyes most of the time. Doc want to do brain fluid test. What are the pros and cons for brain fluid test, what s the risk? Doctor: Might be your doctor is suspecting infection spreading to brain (meningitis/ encephalitis), for which he planned brain fluid test (CSF examination). CSF examination is usually done by lumbar puncture (putting a long needle in between vertebral bones in lower back).It seems diagnotic test in your patient, to check for infection in brainThere is a small risk of complications of lumbar puncture- infection at local site, spread of infection from puncture site , local hemorrhage, post lumbar puncture headache. But these complications are very uncommon if proper aseptic conditions are maintained and performed by thin needle (21/22 gauze).