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Increased intracranial pressure

ICP - raised; Intracranial pressure - raised; Intracranial hypertension; Acute increased intracranial pressure; Sudden increased intracranial pressure

 

Increased intracranial pressure is a rise in the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury.

Causes

 

Increased intracranial pressure can be due to a rise in pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Increase in intracranial pressure can also be due to a rise in pressure within the brain itself. This can be caused by a mass (such as a tumor), bleeding into the brain or fluid around the brain, or swelling within the brain itself.

An increase in intracranial pressure is a serious medical problem. The pressure can damage the brain or spinal cord by pressing on important structures and by restricting blood flow into the brain.

Many conditions can increase intracranial pressure. Common causes include:

  • Aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Brain tumor
  • Encephalitis
  • Head injury
  • Hydrocephalus (increased fluid around the brain)
  • Hypertensive brain hemorrhage
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Meningitis
  • Subdural hematoma
  • Status epilepticus
  • Stroke

 

Symptoms

 

Infants:

  • Drowsiness
  • Separated sutures on the skull
  • Bulging of the soft spot on top of the head (bulging fontanelle)
  • Vomiting

Older children and adults:

  • Behavior changes
  • Decreased consciousness
  • Headache
  • Lethargy
  • Neurological symptoms, including weakness, numbness, eye movement problems, and double vision
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting

 

Exams and Tests

 

A health care provider will usually make this diagnosis at the patient's bedside in an emergency room or hospital. Primary care doctors may sometimes spot early symptoms of increased intracranial pressure such as headache, seizures, or other nervous system problems.

An MRI or CT scan of the head can usually determine the cause of increased intracranial pressure and confirm the diagnosis.

Intracranial pressure may be measured during a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). It can also be measured directly by using a device that is drilled through the skull or a tube (catheter) that is inserted into a hollow area in the brain called the ventricle.

 

Treatment

 

Sudden increased intracranial pressure is an emergency. The person will be treated in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The health care team will measure and monitor the person's neurological and vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Treatment may include:

  • Breathing support
  • Draining of cerebrospinal fluid to lower pressure in the brain
  • Medicines to decrease swelling
  • Removal of part of the skull, especially in the first 2 days of a stroke that involves brain swelling

If a tumor, hemorrhage, or other problem has caused the increase in intracranial pressure, these problems will be treated.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Sudden increased intracranial pressure is a serious and often life-threatening condition. Prompt treatment results in better outlook.

If the increased pressure pushes on important brain structures and blood vessels, it can lead to serious, permanent problems or even death.

 

Possible Complications

 

Increased intracranial pressure can result in:

  • Death
  • Permanent neurological problems
  • Reversible neurological problems
  • Seizures
  • Stroke

 

Prevention

 

This condition usually cannot be prevented. If you have a persistent headache, blurred vision, changes in your level of alertness, neurological problems, or seizures, seek medical help as soon as possible.

 

 

Open References

References

Morton R, Ellenbogen RG. Intracranical hypertension. In: Ellenbogen RG, Abdulrauf SI, Sekhar LN, eds. Principles of Neurological Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 19.

Stocchetti N, Maas AI. Traumatic intracranial hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:2121-2130. PMID 24869722 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24869722 .

 
  • Subdural hematoma

    Subdural hematoma - illustration

    Subdural hematoma develops when blood vessels that are located between the membranes covering the brain (the meninges) leak blood after an injury to the head. This is a serious condition since the increase in intracranial pressure can cause damage to brain tissue and loss of brain function.

    Subdural hematoma

    illustration

    • Subdural hematoma

      Subdural hematoma - illustration

      Subdural hematoma develops when blood vessels that are located between the membranes covering the brain (the meninges) leak blood after an injury to the head. This is a serious condition since the increase in intracranial pressure can cause damage to brain tissue and loss of brain function.

      Subdural hematoma

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Increased intracranial pressure

           
           

          Review Date: 7/1/2015

          Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, MD, Kantor Neurology, Coconut Creek, FL and Immediate Past President of the Florida Society of Neurology (FSN). Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

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