Raised ICP

Question 1

RF/causes

Answer 1

SoL, haemorrhage, infection, malignancy, hyponatraemia. hydrocephalus.

Question 2

Symptoms/signs

Answer 2

Increasing headache, doesn’t get better. Worse bending over, coughing, laughing. Nausea vomits, photophobia, neck stiffness.

Diplopia, fever.

Cushings - Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular breathing (Cheyes stokes breathing).

Signs - Papilloedema, neurological signs, pupal changes, base of skull, focal neurology, vomits.

Question 3

Investigations

Answer 3

Bedside

Bloods: FBC, UandE, CRP, glucose, LFT,

Imaging: CT head

Special: lumbar puncture.

Question 4

Management depends on primary cause of headache.