Pathophysiology Of Raised Intracranial Pressure Flashcards
Intracranial pressure range in adults
5-15mmHg
Intracranial pressure range in children
5-7mmHg
Intracranial pressure range in term infants
1.5-6mmHg
What is intracranial pressure determined by?
Volume of blood
CSF
Brain
What is Monro-Kellie doctrine hypothesis?
Any increase in the volume of one of the intracranial constitutes must be compensated by a decrease in the volume of one of the others
What are the first components to be pushed out of the intracranial space when there is an intracranial mass?
CSF
Venous blood
Cerebral perfusion pressure calculation
CPP = mean arterial pressure - ICP
What can cause raised ICP?
Too much CSF, blood or brain
What is hydrocephalus?
Build up of CSF within the brain
Management of hydrocephalus
- acutely by tapping fontanelle with needle
- medium term drainage by external ventricular drain
- long term by ventricular shunts: tube between ventricular system + peritoneum or right atrium
Clinical signs of hydrocephalus
- bulging head with head circumference increasing faster than expected
- sunsetting eyes
Acquired causes of hydrocephalus
- meningitis
- trauma
- haemorrhage e.g. post subarachnoid haemorrhage
- tumours e.g. compressing cerebral aqueduct
What is cerebral blood flow dependent on?
When can it not be maintained?
Cerebral perfusion pressure
If CPP <50mmHg
Outline cerebral auto regulation in regards to mean arterial pressure + ICP
- if MAP increases > CPP increases > triggers cerebral autoregulation > vasoconstriction of cerebral arterioles
- if ICP increases > CPP decreases > triggers cerebral auto regulation > vasodilation of cerebral arterioles
Outline Cushing’s triad/response/reflex
- rise in ICP > hypertension as body increases MAP to maintain CPP
- increase in MAP > detected by baroreceptors > bradycardia via increased vagal stimulation
- continuing compression of brain steam leads to damage to respiratory centres > irregular breathing