Opening pressure on LP

Hi everyone,  I am to have an LP performed as soon as authorization comes in. I hope someone can help me with a note on the Neuro's request.  He wrote and underlined Please record opening pressure.  What is the significance in this.   Also, can someone compare an epidural and LP procedure.  With my third pregnancy I needed and epidural and it was a horrible experience. I would have preferred to have suffered the pain of labor instead had I known how  painful it was going to be and the fact that I hurt and ached in the epidural spot for about 9 months afterwards.   Thanks,  Anamaria.

[Quixotic1]

Hi, there.  I can help.  First you need to know that a LP is easier to do than an epidural and usually does less trauma.

You can also request to have the LP done under Fluorosocpy guidance in the radiology department.  That way they can use a smaller needle and there is less poking around.  

The neurologist is insisting on a measurement of the opening pressure of the CSF fluid most likely to rule out a disorder called "pseudotumor cerebri."  This is a condition in which the balance of production/reabsorption of the CSF is out of whack (official medical term, lol)  The pressure in the brain and around the spine is too high and can cause many symptoms.  The main symptom is headache, but there are many more.  The main findings are markedly increased CSF pressure on LP and eye findings in which the optic disc appears swollen.  The term Pseudotumor means that many of the symptoms are those you would see with a brain tumor, but there is NO tumor.

I have had several LP's and only had problems with one becasue the anesthesiologist didn't know what he was doing and poked almost a dozen times.  I have never had an epidural.

Hope this helps a bit.

Quix

[AMO]

hi amas,

sorry      you had a tough time in deliveery.
I am not sure the exact differences, but thee procedures are different. I think the needle of l.p.. and cath of epidural go to differnt interioorlevels?  With a spinal tap, the needle onl y is in a short time to retrrive fluid.

I thought with all l.p. pressure is noted. Depending    on your hissstory and sympoms, ther eare illnesses that can cause low or high. MAybe he iis intertaining differentials?

I have two in the past and a spinal for two deliveeerires. Out of the four, only once a smalll headache.
Don't worry, ok. There are goood past posts on l.p. and advice.
be well, amo

[AMO]

ha! there you go...quix did it MUCH better, our lines must have crossed:)

[amas]

Thank you for your response. I will ask for it to be done with Flouroscopy.  I used the search field and did find helpful information on LP's, thanks for recommending.  I'll try not to feel guilty when I have Coke to work on that caffene intake :)   Anamaria