Spinal Tap (cont.)

Medical Author:

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM

Coauthor:

Christina L Kukula, DO

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Thomas Rebbecchi, MD, FAAEM

Multimedia

Media file 1: The lower portion of the back, or lumbar region. The doctor is pointing to the area where the needle will be inserted between the third and fourth vertebrae. Notice the other hand on the top of the pelvis bone serving to help locate this area. (For orientation purposes, the patient is on the right side with the head off to the right side of the screen.)

Media type:  Photo

Media file 2: An example of the sterile technique used. A drape is placed around the area (the blue sheet), and then the needle is put in place. (The glass tube going up from the needle is the device used to measure the pressure of the fluid itself.)

Media type:  Photo

Media file 3: The fluid is allowed to collect into each of the vials so that it can be sent to the lab for analysis.

Media type:  Photo