Post-dural puncture headaches often develop within a few days of a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). They usually go away on their own within a week or two, but if they persist, a doctor might recommend ...

A lumbar puncture is sometimes called a “spinal tap.” It’s a medical procedure that can involve collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and ...

Why do I need a lumbar puncture? A lumbar puncture can check for cancer cells or for infection in the CSF. Doctors remove some of the CSF to test for cancer cells. They use a needle to take a sample ...