CSF Pressure
 

Got my lumbar puncture done and I over heard the doctors say that they had to get my pressure and it was a 15. What does that mean?

I think your best bet would be to ask your doctor what that means :) I asked my Neuro everything under the sun, I also have a copy of my MRIs for my own personal record. When I don't know something and can't reach my Neuro. I usually just research online.. so I found a website about LPs for you, but I still think you should ask your doc. and please don't worry until you know the results :) And that's hard for me to say, cause I stress over a lot!

Monique

http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/diagblood/635/

sorry patch. i don't know.
best to ask the dr. and/or get a copy of the report for your records.
just ask the facility where you had it done, usually medical records. you go there and sign a release and they give you the report.

i'm in the habit of getting copies of all my test, my mri's and specialty dr visits for my own records.

Normal values vary from lab to lab but typically range as follows:

Pressure: 50 - 180 mm H20
Appearance: clear, colorless
CSF total protein: 15 - 45 mg/100 mL
Gamma globulin: 3 - 12% of the total protein
CSF glucose: 50 - 80 mg/100 mL (or approximately 2/3 of blood sugar level)
CSF cell count: 0 - 5 white blood cells, no red blood cells
Chloride: 110 - 125 mEq per liter
Note: mg/mL = milligrams per milliliter; mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter

I found those values on MedlinePlus Medical. I'm not sure if they vary much from site to site. That was the first one I found.

DAY

The pressure of the CSF is what supports your brain. It is very low, usually less than 0.25 psi. This is what causes the 'spinal headache' that you get when the hole doesn't close up like it should so your brain is not 'floating'. When a blood patch is done it can be immediate relief since the pressure is restored.

Reality is it doesn't really mean anything to you. Just another number.

Actually, if the opening pressure is too high, it could mean a diagnosis of Psuedo Tumor Cerebri.

This is specifically why I had my LP. The neuro was pretty sure I had it.

They knew immediately that this wasn't my problem, as my pressure was normal.

I don't remember what he scale is, but a pressure of 15 doesn't seem high. If I remember correctly, the neuro was expecting a pressure in the 100's if I had PTC (but I could be remembering incorrectly).

I suggest you ask your doctor to explain.