Getting to the Point of an IVR Lumbar Puncture

Interventional radiology (IVR) uses minimally invasive image-guided procedures (such as x-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound) to diagnose and treat diseases inside of the body. There is much less risk, pain, and recovery time for IVR procedures compared to open surgeries. A lumbar puncture (sometimes referred to as a spinal tap) is an example of an IVR procedure that reveals if the amount of protein, white blood cells, or myelin is too high in your body. It can also reveal if the fluid in your spine contains an abnormal level of antibodies. By analyzing this fluid, the physician can diagnose the patient with a condition.