The need to repeat lumbar puncture
Date
1977
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
4 Patients with bacterial meningitis are reported. On initial examination, 1 patient had a slightly abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and in the other 3 patients, the CSF was completely normal. An obviously purulent CSF was obtained when lumbar puncture was repeated 14 to 48 hr later. All 4 patients presented initially with pyrexia, and either neck stiffness or convulsions. In 3 of the 4 patients, a cause for pyrexia was found on initial examination but lumbar punctures were done for neck stiffness of convulsions to exclude meningitis. The problems and the need to repeat a lumbar puncture, as well as the importance of blood cultures in a patient with suspected meningitis, are discussed. The fact that a normal specimen of CSF does not exclude meningitis is stressed.
Description
CITATION: Soskolne, E. I., et al. 1977. The need to repeat lumbar puncture. South African Medical Journal, 51(12):395-396.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Spine -- Puncture, Meningitis, Meningitis -- Diagnosis, Meningitis in children
Citation
Soskolne, E. I., et al. 1977. The need to repeat lumbar puncture. South African Medical Journal, 51(12):395-396