A potential complication of lumbar puncture is?

A potential complication of lumbar puncture is?

• A. Infection of the meninges.
• B. Bleeding into the subdural space.
• C. Injury to the spinal cord.
• D. Tearing of the meninges can lead to CSF leakage and severe headaches.

Answer: (D)

Puncturing the dura during a lumbar puncture can create a leak in the CSF space. When CSF leaks through the puncture, the overall CSF pressure drops, causing the brain to sag slightly and stretch pain-sensitive meninges. This produces a characteristic severe headache that often worsens when upright—classic post-dural puncture headache. While infection, bleeding, or nerve injury are possible complications, the most common and defining issue tied to dural tearing is CSF leakage leading to this headache. Treatments focus on sealing the leak (often with an epidural blood patch if persistent) and supportive care, since most cases improve with time.

Puncturing the dura during a lumbar puncture can create a leak in the CSF space. When CSF leaks through the puncture, the overall CSF pressure drops, causing the brain to sag slightly and stretch pain-sensitive meninges. This produces a characteristic severe headache that often worsens when upright—classic post-dural puncture headache. While infection, bleeding, or nerve injury are possible complications, the most common and defining issue tied to dural tearing is CSF leakage leading to this headache. Treatments focus on sealing the leak (often with an epidural blood patch if persistent) and supportive care, since most cases improve with time.