Abstract Although neurologists often evaluate the surgical complications of other physicians, they are responsible for complications of the lumbar puncture, the quintessential neurological procedure. Headache is the most common complication, usually lasting for 1 week or less, occurring in up to 40% of patients after lumbar puncture. Other complications, including headaches lasting for 8 days to 1 year, cranial neuropathies, prolonged backache, nerve root injury, and meningitis, are rare, following perhaps 0.3% of lumbar punctures.163 This chapter reviews historical aspects and the following coplications of lumbar puncture: cerebral and spinal herniation, postdural puncture headache, cranial neuropathies, nerve root irritation, low back pain, stylet associated problems, infections, and bleeding complications (Table 39.1).