An illustration displaying the sagittal view of the spine receiving a lumbar puncture at L3-L4. A lumbar puncture uses a needle to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the thecal sac that surrounds the spinal cord. Complications and risks of a lumbar puncture includes death (spinal/cerebral herniation), nerve root injury, paralysis, bacterial meningitis, epidural spinal abscess, prolonged backache, and prolonged headaches.
