What Causes Neck Pain For Standing Too Long And Headache After Lumber Puncture?

Posted on Fri, 5 Aug 2016

Question: I had a lumber puncture last Friday. I was good for three days after the LP. On Wed. I started filling bad. Thurs. it hit me hard. My Doc. ENT that orderd the LP said lay flat for 24hrs. I did this from Thursday into Friday today. My neck hurts if I stand for longer than one hour now my back is hurting more and more instead of less. My LP was 15 opening pressure and 9 at closing. My head ache is gone until I stand up again for more than 30 minutes and it starts coming back. I did have a slight weird taste in my mouth Yesturday. Taste is still a little off. Do you think this is just a leak in my back from the LP. Or possible Mentingitis. How do they check for Mentingitis in the ER?

Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be leak, can be meningitis

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir

Welcome to Healthcaremagic

The symptoms can be due to
1. Leak
2. Meningitis
This can be diagnosed by Clinical Examination

In ER,
they will do Clinical Examination and Check for Kernigs sign

If Kernigs sign is present, then the diagnosis is meningitis and immediate treatment for meningitis has to be started

If Kernigs sign is absent, we can assume this as leak and manage accordingly

Hope you found the answer helpful.

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Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
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-oOo-

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng