What is Trauma?
 Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body. It is caused by a physical force such as violence or an accident. The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors.
It is critical to have an entire team immediately available to provide care to an injured patient 24-hours a day. This teamwork starts at the scene of the injury where a coordinated, statewide pre-hospital medical system rapidly transports the injured patient from the scene to the hospital providing the appropriate level of care according to criteria established in the statewide trauma regulations. Once at the hospital, a complete team of surgeons, emergency physicians and nurses continue the life-saving treatment.
This team approach to care of the injured patient has had a dramatic impact on saving lives.
Minimally Invasive Procedures for Massive Bleeding
Injuries take many forms. The most advanced hospitals can treat injuries with a variety of approaches that involve well-known ones, like surgery, and newer ones where minimally invasive procedures can replace some surgeries.
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hartford Hospital has Interventional Radiologists as part of the Trauma Team. They perform procedures such as "embolization" which is a recognized interventional radiology technique that is used to treat trauma patients with massive bleeding.
Click here to see some of the advanced interventional techniques available at Hartford Hospital.
Learn more about trauma, or search below to learn about other health conditions. |
Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor
DefinitionLumbar puncture is a test of the fluid around your spine and brain. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It provides protection and nutrition to the brain and nerve cells. CSF also helps to remove waste products from the brain. Reasons for ProcedureThe test is done to look for abnormalities in the spinal fluid. It may be done to help diagnose conditions such as: - Brain infection, or infection of the layers around the brain
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Any disorder affecting the nervous system
- Certain types of cancer
- Bleeding in the brain or spinal cord
- Excess CSF in the brain
The procedure may also be done to: - Administer dye for imaging studies
- Drain CSF to lower pressure within the brain
-
Give medicine directly to the spine such as
chemotherapy, antibiotics, and anesthesia
Possible ComplicationsIf you are planning to have a lumbar puncture, your doctor will review a list of possible complications. Complications may include: - Headache
- Backache
- Bleeding, which can compress the nerve roots or spinal cord
- Pain or abnormal burning, pricking, or tingling sensations in legs
- Allergic reaction to anesthetic
- Infection
What to Expect
Your doctor may order a
CT scan of the head
before the procedure. A CT scan makes detailed pictures of your brain.
Just before the procedure, your doctor will clean the site where the needle will be inserted. Local anesthesia will be used most often. It numbs just a small area. The medicine is injected with a needle. You will lie on your side with your knees drawn up in front. Some punctures may be done while you sit on the edge of the bed. A needle will be inserted into the spinal canal through the lower back. The doctor will take a sample of CSF through the needle. During the procedure, your doctor will make a note of the pressure of the CSF. If you have discomfort, the needle may need to be repositioned. It may take several minutes to collect the fluid needed. The needle will be removed. A dressing will be placed over the puncture. You will lie down for 10-15 minutes. In most cases you will be able to go home after the procedure. If you have a severe headache or require immediate treatment, you may need to stay longer. About 30-45 minutes from setup to completion Discomfort is minimal to moderate. The anesthetic will sting when first injected. When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery: - Drink extra fluids for the next 24 hours.
- Rest and remain quiet for at least 24 hours.
-
Be sure to follow your doctor's
instructions.
Call Your DoctorAfter arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs: - Severe headache or headache lasting for more than 24 hours
- Nausea or vomiting
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, bleeding, or discharge from the lumbar puncture site
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in your lower back or legs
- Weakness in your lower legs or difficulty walking
- Problems with urination or defecation
- A stiff neck
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away. Adams RD, Victor M, et al. Disturbances of cerebrospinal fluid and its circulation, including hydrocephalus and meningeal reactions. In: Adams RD, Victor M, Ropper AH. Pinciples of neurology. San Francisco: McGraw-Hill; 1997:623-641.
Lumbar puncture (LP). DynaMed website. Available at
https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated May 31, 2012. Accessed May 20, 2013.
Torpy J, Lynm C, Glass R.
Lumbar puncture. JAMA. 2006;296(16):2050. Available at:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=203803. Accessed May 20, 2013.
Lumbar puncture test.
The University of Iowa website. Available at:
http://www.uihealthcare.org/2column.aspx?id=236317. Accessed May 20, 2013.
Last reviewed May 2013 by Rimas Lukas, MD; Michael Woods, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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