Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Lumbar puncture vs MRI scan

Does anybody know if an MRI scan couple show up everything a lumbar puncture would ??
Best Answer
620923 tn?1452915648

  Do u know what they were looking for?

With HA's, u can have a MRI to see if u have lesions, and obstructions to CSF flow and all sort of disk issues to see what might be causing the HA....but, if they feel u may have intercranial hypertension, they would have to do a LP to get the opening pressure, which it does not sound like they did, sounds like they may have been testing it for MS?

  I am so sorry u had this experience, seems far too many of us go thru situations like this....

  I also hope u get answers soon so u can feel better.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Just got the all clear from my gp the lumbar punctures and ct angiogram are all fine dr just put it down to a very bad migriene attack and the headaches and fatigue  I am still experiencing are due to a combination of post lumbar punctures and scaring from the initial thunderclap headache I had a few weeks ago. I just also have to say one of the blood test I had done has come back with an abnormality on my liver got to have further test to rule out any further complications there. Hopefully can now put this horrible frightening experience behind me and start to get back on with my life without worry or stress and hope I never ever experience anything like this again
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do u think i Would need an MRI scan to confirm ms if that's the case. I have never been so ill in all my life I have absolutely no energy and I am sick of feeling so lethargic and just want some answers to feel like me again and get back to work
I have had so many different infections this last few months eg bladder infection, pleurisy, conjuctivitis chronic constipation sinus infections and so, it's no wonder I ended up with the massive head pain like I did think my body just gave up to be honest
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648

  No worries...hang in there : )

  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks just wanted it confirming that I didn't go through all that pain for nothing then I am now in agony with my back though.
I will hopefully find out more next week I will post on here with my results thanks again for putting my mind at ease I am confident in that I will be fine in next few weeks just can't believe how quickly this has all happened. It makes you feel reassured when u hear you are not the only one with similar unpleasant  experiences
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Selma thanks for your reply just been told that I could have had an MRI instead of all I have been through I have recently come out of hospital with being rushed In with severe thunderclap headache stiff neck and photophobia and nausea a blood test was done for meningitis all clear thank goodness. I then slept on / off for two days and sent home. then 2 days later and still In a lot of pain I decided to see my gp who referred me straight back upto the consultant I was re admitted and then the tests began. I had a lumbar puncture tried and dr failed I ended up passing out from the pain and on a iv fluids overnight.
The following day u had another consultant round who said i had to go for a ct scan this came back clear so she suggested I had another lumbar puncture done which I agreed to after over an hour and around 8or9 very painful attempts later she still couldn't get any csf so I was then later that day sent upto theatre for an anethatist to try finally after an hour and a half and yet another 2 attepmts in theatre later he managed to get the precious csf. After 2 days of waiting I got the results two of the test were fine but one came back borderline, i then had a. CT angiogram done the next day and was sent home without any explanations only that it was a severe headache / migriene and go and see my gp if the headaches persists which they did. Now a week later I am in a lot of pain with my back and keep getting sharp pains in my lower legs to go along with my still banging headaches at the back of my head and near my ear and stiff neck . I have been informed today by my gp that my ct angiogram wasn't completely clear and has been sent for further analysis by a team of consultants at a big  hosp. I am really fed up confused exhausted and in pain and just want this nightmare to end now  I have had enough. hopefully I will get some answers soon and I can get on with my life without experiencing any pain I have never felt or beenso ill in all my life
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648

  Hi...no, they can not...a MRI can not show u opening pressure if that is what they r looking for....

Many tests r done to rule out conditions with similar symptoms...

Do u know what they r testing for?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease