Needle Type Cutting Atraumatic Examples QuinckeAtraucan SprotteWhitacreBallpen Advantages Cuts through tissue and ligaments, making insertion easierAperture at the tip of the needle, so less likely to straddle the dural membrane if injecting medication - reduces the...
Lumbar puncture should not be performed at or above the L2/3 interspace: In adults, the solid spinal cord ends at L1 (ranges from T11 to upper L3) At this level the conus medullaris continues distally as the cauda equina Puncture above this level risks damaging the...
Absolute Space occupying lesion with mass effect and evidence of increased ICP:Risk of cerebral herniationSuggested by midline shift or loss of cisterns on CTPosterior fossa massArnold-Chiari malformationCoagulopathy (see BSN Guidance):Platelets <40,000INR...