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Table 123.2

Lumbar Puncture: Equipment Needed

  • Sterile gloves and surgical mask
  • Sterile drapes (×2)
  • Sterile gauze swabs
  • Antiseptic solution for skin preparation (e.g. chlorhexidine in alcohol)
  • Small wound dressing
  • 5 mL syringe, 25 G and 21 G needles, 1% lidocaine
  • Spinal needle (20 or 22 G)
  • Manometer and three-way tap
  • Three numbered plain sterile containers (in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis, a fourth sample should be collected, together with a paired serum sample, for testing for oligoclonal bands in the immunology laboratory)
  • Fluoride tube for glucose (to be sent with blood glucose sample taken before lumbar puncture)