Lumbar Puncture
A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, uses a fine needle to take a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back. Analysing this fluid helps diagnose or rule out conditions such as meningitis, bleeding around the brain, multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases, and can also measure the pressure around the brain and spinal cord.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
A lumbar puncture allows a neurologist to sample the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. After numbing the skin, a fine needle is passed between two vertebrae in the lower back, below where the spinal cord ends, and a small amount of clear fluid is collected. The fluid is tested for infection, inflammation, bleeding, abnormal cells and specific markers. The test is used to diagnose or exclude meningitis and encephalitis, bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage), multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, and certain causes of headache. The opening pressure can also be measured, and in some conditions fluid is removed to relieve raised pressure.
International neurology patients are supported by a dedicated coordinator who arranges scheduling, interpreter services and any pre-procedure imaging such as a brain scan. Our neurology team can review your existing MRI and CT scans and prior test results remotely before you travel, confirm whether a lumbar puncture is appropriate and safe, and provide a transparent, itemised cost estimate in advance.
Who is a candidate?
- Suspected meningitis or encephalitis (infection or inflammation of the brain and its lining)
- Suspected bleeding around the brain when a CT scan is inconclusive
- Investigation of multiple sclerosis or other inflammatory and autoimmune neurological diseases
- Unexplained severe or persistent headache requiring pressure measurement
- Suspected raised or low cerebrospinal fluid pressure
- Diagnosis of certain cancers affecting the nervous system, or to deliver targeted medication
What happens
- 1
Preparation
The team reviews your history and, where needed, a brain scan to ensure the test is safe. Tell them about blood thinners, bleeding disorders or contrast allergies. You usually do not need to fast. The procedure and consent are explained, and you empty your bladder beforehand.
- 2
Positioning and anaesthesia
You lie on your side curled up, or sit leaning forward, to open the spaces between the vertebrae. The lower back is cleaned and local anaesthetic is injected to numb the skin and deeper tissue, so the test itself is not sharply painful.
- 3
During the procedure
The neurologist inserts a fine needle between two vertebrae in the lower back, below the end of the spinal cord. You may feel brief pressure or a short tingling sensation. The opening pressure can be measured, and a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is collected into sample tubes.
- 4
Sampling and closure
Once enough fluid is collected, the needle is removed and a small dressing applied. The samples are sent for laboratory analysis. The whole process usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- 5
Afterwards & results
You rest lying flat for one to two hours, which helps reduce the chance of a headache, and are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. Some fluid results, such as cell counts and glucose, are available within hours, while cultures and specialised tests take several days. Your neurologist explains the findings and next steps once results are ready.
Benefits
- Provides a direct sample of cerebrospinal fluid that no other test can replace
- Rapidly diagnoses or rules out serious infections such as meningitis
- Detects inflammation, bleeding and markers of neurological disease
- Measures the pressure around the brain and spinal cord
- Can relieve raised pressure or deliver targeted medication when needed
- Minimally invasive with same-day discharge in most cases
Risks & considerations
- A headache afterwards (post-puncture headache), which lying flat and fluids help prevent
- Soreness, bruising or mild back discomfort at the puncture site
- Temporary tingling or a brief shooting sensation in a leg during needle placement
- Small risk of bleeding, higher in people taking blood thinners
- Rare risk of infection, and very rarely nerve irritation
- Occasionally the fluid cannot be obtained and the test is repeated, sometimes with imaging guidance
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Neurological Sciences Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Lumbar Puncture — frequently asked questions
The skin and deeper tissue are numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure rather than sharp pain. You may notice a brief tingling sensation as the needle is positioned. Most patients find it more comfortable than they expected.
Some patients develop a headache in the day or two after the test. Lying flat for a short period afterwards and drinking plenty of fluids reduces the risk. If a headache does occur, it is usually mild and treatable, and the team will advise you.
The needle is placed in the lower back, well below where the spinal cord ends, so the cord itself is not touched. Where needed, a brain scan is reviewed beforehand to confirm the test is safe for you.
Some fluid tests, such as cell counts and glucose, are available within hours, which is important when a serious infection is suspected. Cultures and specialised tests take several days. Your neurologist explains all the findings once they are complete.
Yes. Our neurology team can review your MRI or CT scans and earlier test results remotely before you arrive, confirm whether a lumbar puncture is appropriate and safe, and plan it efficiently within your visit.
The cost depends on the laboratory tests required on the fluid and whether any imaging guidance is used. After a remote review of your records we provide a transparent, itemised personalised estimate before you travel, with no hidden fees.
Related treatments
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