Intracranial hypertension

Abstract

The relation between the volume of the brain and the skull determines the intracranial pressure, that has as reference the atmospheric pressure. In normal conditions the intracranial pressure has oscillations determined by the breathing and heart cycles. Several pathologies determine the increase of the intracranial pressure, the most frequent the head trauma. Should be valued for the diagnosis of the intracranial hypertension (ICH) the clinical picture of headache, vomiting and papilledema. The most important subsidiary exams are the image methods mainly the Computed Tomography (CT) and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Monitorization of the intracranial pressure is important for severe cases of ICH. Several therapeutic modalities can ben used, as hypocarbia induced by hyperventilation, osmotics diuretics, barbiturates, hypothermia and special general measures with the patient.