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A member asked:
Is a lumbar puncture to test for encephalitis safe?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes: A person with symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation, swelling in the brain) or meningitis (inflammation, infection of the fluid and membranes covering the brain & spinal cord) has a serious illness that can cause permanent brain damage or death. A lumbar puncture is safe because it is not a risky test, and because the bad effects of the diseases are so much worse than the little risks of an l.P..
Answered 12/10/2014
6.3k views
Yes: Of course it needs to be done with absolute sterility by a competent physician but is essential to obtain a diagnosis to guide proper treatment.
Answered 1/13/2013
5.4k views
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People also searched for:
Hello, My dad has been diagnosed for "Encephalitis". Doctors are not clearly able to find root cause. All tests (EEG, MRI, Blood Test etc) came clear. A lumber puncture test revealed high protein in ?
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