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Haematology Service | Waitematā | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Haematology
Lumbar Puncture
A lumbar puncture is a procedure to remove a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (surrounds the spinal cord and brain) for analysis. An injection of local anaesthetic is given, followed by the insertion of a thin needle into the spinal canal. This is done to check for the presence of abnormal cells. Sometimes an injection of a drug may be given at the same time (intrathecal chemotherapy).