Monitoring and control of intracranial pressure in non-traumatic encephalopathies.

Fifteen patients with non-traumatic encephalopathies underwent continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure. These included 11 children with Reye's syndrome, two with viral encephalitis, one with mushroom poisoning, and one with hypoxia from drowning. Elevated intracranial pressure was treated with decadron, hyperventilation, hyperosmolar agents and in some cases hypothermia and barbiturates. The results are discussed.