Lumbar Puncture: Interpreting Absent Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cushions the brain/spinal cord, removes waste, and provides buoyancy. A lumbar puncture (LP) helps diagnose conditions like subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Causes of No CSF Flow ("Dry Tap")

• Spinal cord tumor obstructing CSF flow
• Adhesive arachnoiditis: Inflammation/scarring of arachnoid membrane
• Cauda equina syndrome: Severe nerve compression causing back pain, incontinence, saddle anesthesia, leg weakness

A dry tap requires immediate investigation to identify the underlying cause. Consult a neurologist or neurosurgeon promptly.