10 Side Effects of Spinal Taps
Side Effect #7: Cerebral Herniation
Cerebral herniation or brain herniation is a life-threatening condition where there is very high intracranial pressure causing part of the brain to be squeezed and/or shift past midline. Herniation can occur in intracranial hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, or brain tumor. When mass lesions such as hematomas occur, cerebral herniation may also occur. Since herniation places pressure on the brain, it can cause blood supply to the brain to be cut off, resulting in tissue death.
Individuals who have cerebral herniation may present with symptoms such as abnormal posturing, vomiting, lowered level of consciousness, and dilation with failed constriction of one or both pupils. In a spinal tap, cerebral herniation can occur if there is elevated intracranial pressure.
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