Raised Intracranial Pressure

Question 1

Raised intracranial pressure is cuased by …

Answer 1

increased pressure in fluid surrounding the brain or an increase in pressure within the brain itself (eg brain tumour, head injury, hydrocepahlus, meningitis, stroke)

Question 2

Monro-Kellie Hypothesis

Answer 2

If pressure changes volme has to adapt i.e. something is going to have to give (tissue damage, constriction of blood vessels etc)

Question 3

65-75% of ICP patients have …

Answer 3

Visual Problems

• transient blurred vision
• double vision
• loss of vision
• papilloedema
• pupillary changes

Question 4

protective coverings of brain and spinal cord

Answer 4

meninges

Question 5

layers of meninges

Answer 5

Dura mater (tough)
Arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space (holds CSF + blood vessels)
Pia (adheres to brain)

Question 6

where is CSF reabsorbed?

Answer 6

via arachnoid granulations in subarachnoid space protruding into dural venous sinuses

Question 7

Lumbar puncture location?

Answer 7

L3/4 or L4/5

Question 8

Optic nerve compression caused by …

Answer 8

Raised ICP in subarachnoid space in the optic nerve sheath -> papilloedema

Question 9

Occulomotor nerve (CNIII) compression =

Answer 9

lost/slow pupillary light reflex
dilated pupil
ptosis
eye turned inferolaterally (down and out)

Question 10

Damage to CNIII by …

Answer 10

raised ICP can cause medial temporal lobe to herniate through tentorial notch compressing or stretching nerve

Question 11

Damage to CNIV (trochlear nerve) causes…

Answer 11

paralysis of superior oblique muscle
eye cannot move inferomedially
Diploplia (double vision) when looking down

Question 12

Damage to CNVI (abducent nerve) causes …

Answer 12

eye cannot move laterally

Medial deviation of the eye