Neurologic procedures Flashcards
What spinal level do you perform a lumbar puncture?
L4-L5
Below L2 which is the end of the spinal cord
What should the CSF pressure normally be?
Less than 25-30 cm
What should you do before performing a spinal tap?
CT scan… unless meningitis is suspected
What needle do you use for lumbar puncture?
short bevel
What is considered low spinal pressure and what are some causes?
Below 7 cm
- Hypoproduction
- Distal to occlusion
- Spinal fluid leak
- Spinal cord tumor
What is considered high spinal pressure and what are some causes?
Above 25-30
- Hyperproduction
- Proximal to occlusion
- Malabsorption of spinal fluid
- Obesity- pseudo tumor cerebri
Xanthochromic
The color of CSF due to old blood pigments… subarachnoid hemorrhage
At what point will CSF become cloudy?
If greater than 200 WBC or 400 RBC
Elevated neutrophils means?
Bacterial infection
Elevated lymphocytes means?
Viral infection
Elevated monocytes/macrophages means?
Chronic condition
Things measured in spinal fluid analysis?
Glucose- CSF lags one hour behind blood glucose, never lower than 80% of blood glucose)
Protein
Culture and sensitivity
Special tests (oligoclonal bands)
What is the epidural space?
A potential space that contains no fluid or blood- only access to the nerve roots and disc material
It is accessible to nerve roots- medications can remain outside the spinal canal
How does EEG brain maping work?
Helps locate focuses of function or dysfunction by converting digitial signals to color and 3D images
When are x-rays most useful?
To screen for fracture
- Want to see all 7 cervical vertebrae plus T1… follow lines all the way down
How does a CT scan work?
Gives a 3D view of the body- rotates an x-ray beam around the pt, imaging the body in a series of slices
Adding cameras adds more slices, heat, and radiation
More radiation is = to more than 100 chest xrays
When do you use a CT?
To view
- Hemorrhages
- Spinal fractures
- Kidney stones
Needs IV contrast
- Abscess
- Tumor
How does a PET scan work
Inject FDG into patient –> metabolism of FDG in the glucose pathway gives off positron + gamma radiation
Cancer cells use more glucose than normal cells and emit more gamma radiation
What shows up the most on MRI?
Things with a lot of water
How does an MRI work?
Protons wobble in alignment with magnetic fields of varying intensity, frequency of wobble is proportionate to strength of individual magnetic field
A brief radio signal whose soundwaves frequency equals the frequency of wobble of certain protons, knocks those protons out of alignment
When radio signal ceases, protons snap back into alignment with magnetic field, emitting a radio signal of their own that announces the presence of a specific tissue
How do T2 weighted images appear?
CSF is bright