Raised Intracranial Pressure (Elevated Brain Pressure)
Description
An elevation of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by any disorder that causes swelling or bleeding in the brain such as: aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumor, encephalitis, hydrocephalus, hypertensive brain hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, severe head injury, subdural hematoma, status epilepticus, and stroke.
Symptoms
Headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, coma, weakness.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Imaging studies to determine the cause of the raised intracranial pressure are performed.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at reversing the cause of the brain injury, and reducing the intracerebral pressure. Treatment may include: diuretics and seizure medications. A neurosurgeon may place a special monitor in the brain to monitor the pressure.
Related Videos
Research
News
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded research...
Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Raised intracranial pressure (Elevated brain pressure)?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.