The use of corticotropin releasing factor (CRE) for the treatment of post-operative cerebral edema. A preliminary study.

Synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was administered pre-operatively to five patients who underwent craniotomy for brain tumors, acute subdural and intracerebral hematomas. After craniotomy, an intraventricular catheter is placed in the ventricle, on the normal side of brain. This is for intracranial pressure monitoring. The data obtained were pooled and compared with the saline group (n = 6). The CRF group was found to have statistically significant difference (P less than 0.01). This preliminary study showed that CRF decreases postoperative edema.