Learn about Intrathecal Injection Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Intrathecal Injection and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Intrathecal Injection

An intrathecal injection is a precise neurosurgical procedure where medication is delivered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the subarachnoid space of the spinal canal. This targeted approach bypasses the blood-brain barrier, allowing for high concentrations of therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, pain medications, or contrast dyes for imaging, to reach the central nervous system with minimal systemic side effects. Performed by a neurosurgeon, it is a critical intervention for managing complex neurological conditions, severe infections, intractable pain, and for diagnostic purposes. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia with or without sedation, ensuring patient comfort while maximizing therapeutic efficacy for conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord.

Key Highlights

    Direct delivery of medication to the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.Higher therapeutic drug concentration at the target site with lower systemic doses.Minimizes overall body exposure to potent medications, reducing side effects.Can provide rapid relief for severe pain or treat infections/conditions localized to the CSF.Often performed as a minimally invasive procedure with local anesthesia.Valuable for both diagnostic (e.g., myelography) and therapeutic purposes./ul

Who is this surgery for?

  • Administration of intrathecal chemotherapy for cancers like leukemia or lymphoma affecting the CNS.
  • Treatment of severe central nervous system infections (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis) with antibiotics/antifungals.
  • Management of chronic, intractable pain (e.g., from cancer, failed back surgery) via pain pump implantation.
  • Diagnostic procedures such as myelography to visualize spinal cord and nerve roots.
  • Administration of spinal anesthesia for certain surgical procedures.
  • Treatment of spasticity with medications like baclofen.
  • Management of certain neurodegenerative or autoimmune disorders.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive medical evaluation, including neurological examination and review of medical history.
  • Discussion of allergies, especially to contrast dye, local anesthetics, or planned medications.
  • Review and adjustment of current medications, particularly blood thinners (may need to be stopped temporarily).
  • Pre-procedure imaging (MRI or CT) may be required to guide the injection.
  • Fasting for a few hours before the procedure if sedation is planned.
  • Informed consent process detailing the procedure's benefits, risks, and alternatives.
  • Arranging for transportation home post-procedure, as driving is not permitted immediately after.

Risks & possible complications

  • Headache (post-dural puncture headache) due to CSF leakage.
  • Infection at the injection site or within the CSF (meningitis).
  • Bleeding or hematoma formation near the spinal cord.
  • Nerve injury, leading to temporary or permanent numbness, weakness, or pain.
  • Allergic reaction to the injected medication or contrast agent.
  • Seizures or adverse drug reactions from the medication.
  • Spinal cord injury, though very rare with proper technique.
  • Failure of the procedure to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Immediate post-procedure monitoring in a recovery area for 1-2 hours to check for complications.
  • Instructions to lie flat for several hours to reduce the risk of a spinal headache.
  • Increased fluid intake is often recommended to help replenish CSF.
  • The injection site should be kept clean and dry; monitor for signs of infection (redness, swelling, fever).
  • Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending for 24-48 hours.
  • Report any severe headache, neck stiffness, fever, new numbness/weakness, or difficulty urinating immediately.
  • Follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon to assess treatment response and plan next steps.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (typically outpatient)
  • checked Expected recovery time: 1-3 days for routine recovery; therapeutic effect timeline varies by condition

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering intrathecal injection in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for intrathecal injection compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India USD 87 – USD 381 0-1 days (typically outpatient) ~ 1-3 days for routine recovery; therapeutic effect timeline varies by condition Know More
Turkey USD 644 – USD 2,818 0-1 days (typically outpatient) ~ 1-3 days for routine recovery; therapeutic effect timeline varies by condition Know More

Top hospitals for Intrathecal Injection in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing intrathecal injection.

Cytecare Hospital

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon48 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar

  • IconBhubaneshwar, India
  • Icon55 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon200 Doctors

Miot Hospital Chennai

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon250 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
  • Icon43 Doctors

SIMS Hospital Vadapalani

  • IconChennai, India
  • Icon71 Doctors

Manipal Hospital Mukundapur

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon145 Doctors

Medanta The Medicity

  • IconGurgaon, India
  • Icon900 Doctors

Nanavati Max Hospital

  • IconMumbai, India
  • Icon187 Doctors

Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar

  • IconHyderabad, India
  • Icon67 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

At my age, you worry about...

At my age, you worry about being a bother. Dr. Narayanamurthy never made me feel that way. He explained my medication changes slowly, and his manner was very calming. The clinic at MGM was busy, but he took his time.

Neurosurgeons for Intrathecal Injection

Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform intrathecal injection and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Karanjit Singh Narang
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Himanshu Arora
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital Faridabad

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Dr. Rahul Kumar
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital Faridabad

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Dr. Anirban Deep Banerjee
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rishabh Kedia
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Tanmay Trivedi
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

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Dr. Sohet Gogia
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Aditya Singhal
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Medanta Hospital Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Arul Muthukumaraswamy
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai

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Dr. Atul Vajpeyi
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Laxminarayan Tripathy
  • 31 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

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Dr. Sunandan Basu
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Tejasvi Singh Randhawa
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Peeyush Tomar
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

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Dr. Harsh Jain
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

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Dr. Anurag Saxena
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka

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Dr. Audumbar Netalkar
  • 41 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi, Marathi
Available Tomorrow
February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa

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Dr. Amit Dhakoji
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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February: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner

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Dr. Shrey Kumar Shah
  • 6 Years Experience
  • Neurosurgeon
Speaks: English, Hindi
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MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner

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Dr. Omkar Narayan Churi
  • 15 Years Experience
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MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa

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