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  5. lumbar puncture
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lumbar puncture

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Resources
  4. Glossary
  5. lumbar puncture
Print

Description

A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower part (lumbar region) of the spinal column.

Doctors may use lumbar puncture to give drugs or to remove cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for examination under a microscope or to lower spinal fluid pressure.

Also called spinal tap.

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