A spinal tap is often normal in patients with chronic neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease.

I am your host, Dr. Daniel Cameron. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you what I have seen in my practice.

A spinal tap is often normal in my patients with chronic neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease.

I first read about this problem in 1990 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Only two out of 27 patients with chronic neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease had an abnormal spinal tap. 1

I have often not been able to rely on a spinal tap. I have had to rely on other clinical information and clinical judgment.

Have you known someone with Lyme disease with a normal spinal tap? Please join the conversation with others in the comments below.

1. Logigian EL, Kaplan RF, Steere AC. Chronic neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. 1990;323(21):1438-1444.

Dr. Daniel Cameron,Lyme Disease,Tick-Borne Illnesses,Diagnosis,Spinal tap,