Description and uses of intracranial pressure monitoring.

Today, ICP monitoring is used to facilitate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of abnormal ICP profiles. The level of ICP is made readily available and impending ICP abnormalities can be detected by evaluation of compensation mechanisms. ICP monitoring can also be used to evaluate methods of ICP reduction as shown in Fig 5. It can also aid in determining the prognosis. A poor prognosis is indicated by a CPP of less than 30 mm. Hg, rising ICP in spite of treatment, and loss of compliance. ICP monitoring is useful only in the experienced hands of a neurosurgical team which is better qualified to interpret data in association with the clinical picture and determine a plan of treatment. They are also fully aware of and can guard against possible infection, CSF leakage, hematoma, and its consequences.