Backstabbed: routine lumbar puncture complicated by retroperitoneal hematoma and hemorrhagic shock

• Main Authors: George Horani, MD, Kunwar Kaur, MD, Dianelys Mendez, MD, Sushant Nanavati, MD, Fred Berlin, MD, Konstantinos Leou, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-08-01
• Series: Radiology Case Reports
• Subjects: Lumbar puncture; Retroperitoneal hemorrhage; Hemorrhagic shock
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043321003575
• ISSN: 1930-0433

Lumbar punctures (LPs) are commonly performed procedures, serving diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. They are generally safe, and serious, life-threatening complications are rare. We report a case of a patient who underwent an LP and subsequently developed shock. Imaging studies revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma with an active bleed. Interrogation of the lumbar branches in the interventional radiology suite revealed an active arterial bleed at the level of L3-L4 which was successfully embolized. We present this case to highlight the possibility of a rare complication of an LP and to emphasize the importance of early detection and resuscitative intervention.