General
champagne tap
What does champagne tap mean?
A perfectly executed lumbar puncture yielding cerebrospinal fluid with zero red blood cells (no traumatic contamination). Traditionally worth a bottle of champagne.
"Clean CSF, not a single red cell — that's a champagne tap."
Origin
Medical tradition of buying champagne for a bloodless (perfect) tap.
Frequently asked questions
What is a champagne tap?
It's a perfectly performed lumbar puncture that produces cerebrospinal fluid with zero red blood cells, meaning no traumatic contamination.
Why is it called a champagne tap?
By tradition, a flawless bloodless tap earns the operator a bottle of champagne.
Is a champagne tap hard to achieve?
Yes, getting a completely clean, blood-free sample requires precise technique, which is why it's celebrated.
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