Can Repeated Lumbar Punctures Produce Pleocytosis?

Yes, and the finding suggests caution before ordering costly follow-up tests.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is a frequent practice in neurology, and in some cases it is repeated, especially in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), in whom pleocytosis with increased white blood cell (WBC) count is common. The effect of repeated LPs on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is unknown. To find out, researchers conducted a retrospective study of 73 patients (median age, 35 years) who underwent at least two LPs. All patients had noninflammatory neurological diseases (mainly IIH).

Findings were as follows:

The second LP was performed after a median of 6 days.
Twenty patients (27%) developed pleocytosis, with a median increase in WBC count of 8/μl and a maximum of 30/l.
Patients with pleocytosis had a second LP significantly e…

Reviewing Author

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Can Repeated Lumbar Punctures Produce Pleocytosis?

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Reviewing Author