Complications of lumbar puncture followed by anticoagulation

Abstract

The complications associated with lumbar puncture (LP) were compared in 2 groups of 342 patients. The first group of patients was anticoagulated after the LP, and the second was not. The incidence of minor headache or back pain was similar in the 2 groups (Group 1-62%, Group 2-64%). The anticoagulated patients had a higher incidence of paraparesis (Group 1, 5 patients, Group 2, No patients;p < .05) and severe back or lumbosacral radicular pain lasting more than 48 hours (Group 1,18 patients, Group 2,6 patients;p < .025). Seven of the anticoagulated patients developed spinal hematomas (5 with paraparesis, 2 with severe back pain). Among the anticoagulated patients the risk of a major complication was increased by a traumatic LP (p < .001), starting anticoagulation within one hour of the LP (p < .001), or aspirin treatment at the time of the LP (p