Cisternogram
This test is used to diagnose a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. It can be ordered with pledgets (for CSF leaks of the head) or without (for spinal leaks or normal-pressure hydrocephalus).
Indications
- CSF leaks
- CSF blockages
- CSF circulation problems
- Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
Preparation
Patient must be NPO (no food or drink) six hours prior to the lumbar puncture.
Scheduling
Cisternograms with pledgets can be complex to schedule because it requires coordination between the patient's referring physician, the Interventional Radiology Division and the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center.
Because the patient requires a lumbar puncture to occur six hours before imaging can take place, the lumbar puncture should be performed in the morning, as early as possible.
Here is an outline of the timing of the procedure:
Cisternogram with Pledgets
Beginning:
- Location: At the Interventional Radiology Division on the 8th floor of the North Tower of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Patient receives the radiopharmaceutical through a lumbar puncture (LP)
- Location: At patient's MD's office - NOT the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Pledgets placed
- Blood is drawn
- Location: At the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Blood drawn again
- Pledgets removed
- Imaging performed
- Location: At the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Imaging may occur a second time, per the request of the physician
Beginning:
- Location: Interventional Radiology Division on the 8th floor of the North Tower of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Patient receives the radiopharmaceutical through a lumbar puncture (LP)
- Imaging at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Imaging at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Imaging at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
- Imaging at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center
