Which procedure involves inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space to remove cerebrospinal fluid for testing?

Which procedure involves inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space to remove cerebrospinal fluid for testing?

• A. Lumbar Puncture
• B. Spinal Needle Aspiration
• C. Epidural Injection
• D. Myelography

Answer: (A)

Inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for analysis is a lumbar puncture. This procedure is typically done in the lower back, between the lumbar vertebrae, to access the subarachnoid space where CSF sits. The collected CSF can then be tested for infections, bleeding, inflammatory conditions, or other neurologic issues, and opening pressure can be measured as well. The other options refer to different procedures: an epidural injection targets the epidural space for anesthesia or pain relief, not for CSF collection; myelography is an imaging study that uses intrathecal contrast to visualize the spinal canal and nerves, rather than primarily drawing CSF for testing; the term spinal needle aspiration isn’t the standard description for this CSF-drawing procedure.

Inserting a needle into the subarachnoid space to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for analysis is a lumbar puncture. This procedure is typically done in the lower back, between the lumbar vertebrae, to access the subarachnoid space where CSF sits. The collected CSF can then be tested for infections, bleeding, inflammatory conditions, or other neurologic issues, and opening pressure can be measured as well.

The other options refer to different procedures: an epidural injection targets the epidural space for anesthesia or pain relief, not for CSF collection; myelography is an imaging study that uses intrathecal contrast to visualize the spinal canal and nerves, rather than primarily drawing CSF for testing; the term spinal needle aspiration isn’t the standard description for this CSF-drawing procedure.