cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1779005
Apparently this was done because air captures less X-rays than CSF and thus creates more contrast with brain tissue compared to the cerebrospinal fluid.
Unfortunately this was pretty painful and uncomfortable.
I know someone who had a leak of CSF after getting a spinal tap, and the pain was absolutely crippling if she did anything but lie flat on her back. No medicine did anything to help. I can’t even imagine how painful it must be to have the CSF removed completely.