A previously healthy 30-year-old mother collapsed after taking her children to school. In the Emergency Department, she appeared confused and complained bitterly of a severe generalized headache and that the room lights were too bright. Abnormal findings on physical examination were limited to blood pressure 180/110 and apparent restriction of cervical spine movements. After admission to hospital a neurologist confirmed photophobia, neck stiffness and raised blood pressure. He performed a lumbar puncture and found blood in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Questions:
2. How are samples of CSF usually obtained?
3. What is a safe vertebral level to attempt lumbar puncture and what layers are traversed?
4. Why was the patientâs neck stiff even though she had no history of cervical spine disease?
A previously healthy 30-year-old mother collapsed after taking her children to school. In the Emergency Department, she appeared confused and complained bitterly of a severe generalized headache and that the room lights were too bright. Abnormal findings on physical examination were limited to blood pressure 180/110 and apparent restriction of cervical spine movements. After admission to hospital a neurologist confirmed photophobia, neck stiffness and raised blood pressure. He performed a lumbar puncture and found blood in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Questions:
2. How are samples of CSF usually obtained?
3. What is a safe vertebral level to attempt lumbar puncture and what layers are traversed?
4. Why was the patientâs neck stiff even though she had no history of cervical spine disease?
