Suboccipital puncture
Suboccipital Puncture
Suboccipital puncture (pronunciation: sub-oh-SIP-i-tal PUNK-chur) is a medical procedure used to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic purposes.
Etymology
The term "suboccipital" is derived from the Latin words "sub" meaning "under" and "occipital" referring to the occipital bone at the base of the skull. "Puncture" comes from the Latin "punctura" meaning a point or prick.
Procedure
The Suboccipital puncture is performed by inserting a needle into the suboccipital region, which is located at the base of the skull, just below the occipital bone. The needle is carefully guided into the cisterna magna, a large reservoir of CSF located between the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. Once the needle is in place, CSF can be withdrawn for analysis.
Indications
Suboccipital puncture is typically performed when a lumbar puncture is not possible or contraindicated. It can be used to diagnose conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. It can also be used to measure CSF pressure in cases of intracranial hypertension.
Risks and Complications
As with any invasive procedure, there are risks associated with a suboccipital puncture. These include infection, bleeding, and damage to the brainstem or cerebellum. There is also a risk of causing a cerebrospinal fluid leak, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms.
Related Terms
- Cisterna Magna
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
- Occipital Bone
- Intracranial Hypertension
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Suboccipital puncture
- Wikipedia's article - Suboccipital puncture
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