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Therapeutic Spinal Taps

At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of this treatment and invite you to participate. Please read the following information to learn about the procedure and how you can help.

Fast Facts About Spinal Taps

  • There are two types of spinal taps: Those used as diagnostic tests and those used as therapeutic procedures.
    • When used only to take out fluid surrounding the spinal cord for cell counts or examinations, they are diagnostic spinal taps.  
    • When used to inject medication into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, they are therapeutic spinal taps.  
  • The following information is about therapeutic spinal taps.    
    • Each spinal tap takes about 30 to 60 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of rest.
    • Your child will receive sedation medication to help him or her relax and lessen any pain he or she might feel.
    • Your child may resume a normal diet and activities afterwards, although he or she may experience some soreness for a day or so.

Fast Facts About Sedation

  • Sedation (se-DAY-shun) means that your child will be given medication to make him or her very drowsy and relaxed during the procedure.   
  • This kind of medication is used when your child does not need to be sound asleep for the procedure, but needs to be very calm for it. 
  • Although not fully asleep, your child will not feel any pain during the procedure or remember it afterwards.
  • The doctor doing your child’s procedure will give the sedation medication.  

Where Can I Get This Test?

Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
One Children’s Hospital Drive
4401 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

412-692-5500