Increased intracranial pressure

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Subdural hematoma

ICP; Intracranial pressure - increased

This condition is critical. The person will be in intensive care and have neurologic and vital signs measured frequently. Treatment may include altering breathing rate, medications to decrease swelling, or drainage of cerebrospinal fluid to lower pressure in the brain. If the raised intracranial pressure is cause by a mass lesion, like a tumor or hemorrhage, then the cause of the raised pressure should be treated.

Raised intracranial pressure is a serious and often fatal condition. If the underlying cause of the raised intracranial pressure is treatable, then the outlook is generally better. Compression of vital brain structures and blood vessels can lead to serious, permanent neurologic deficits or even death.

• Reversible neurologic problems
• Permanent neurologic problems
• Seizures
• Death

This diagnosis is usually made in an emergency room or hospital setting. Primary care physicians are sometimes able to identify early signs of raised intracranial pressure when symptoms like headache, seizures, or neurologic problems arise.

Review Date: 01/23/2006
Reviewed By: Kevin Sheth, M.D., Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.