What is the primary purpose of performing a lumbar puncture?

The primary purpose of performing a lumbar puncture is to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis. This procedure allows healthcare providers to obtain a sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, which can be crucial for diagnosing various conditions, including infections such as meningitis, inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, and certain types of bleeding or tumors. The analysis of CSF can reveal important indicators of pathologies affecting the central nervous system, such as the presence of pathogens, blood, or abnormal levels of certain substances.

While measuring intracranial pressure and administering medication are also possible uses of a lumbar puncture, the core objective remains the collection and subsequent analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to aid in diagnosis. Recording electrical activity of the brain pertains more to electroencephalography (EEG) rather than lumbar puncture, which further underscores why collecting CSF is the primary purpose of this procedure.