Volume 2 Issues 8 August, 2021
Don’t take anything for granted!!!
The practice in the Neurology ward at CMC, Vellore was for a senior Houseman to do Lumbar puncture whenever cases are sent from the OPD by a colleague after performing a thorough physical examination. It is assumed that the cases that come for LP to the ward do not have contraindication for this procedure. I was on duty one morning and I did the LP in a young 15 year old girl and to my surprise I found the spinal fluid sprain out like a jet. The manometer showed more than 600 mm of Hg. and rising! The patient felt dizzy and I was in a panic and I quickly pulled out the needle. I checked the Fundus and to my great horror discovered bilateral papilledema. I cursed myself for taking my colleague’s word for granted and not checking the Fundus before doing the procedure. Never again did I make a similar mistake and subsequently I have taught the students, not to take any one’s words for granted. Always check things for oneself.
Chairperson of Organizing committee, ANSIP (2013)
