[Influence of sorbitol and mannitol on intracranial pressure (author's transl)].

The intracranial pressure was measured by an intraventricular catheter in 53 patients, in the course of 156 infusions of 40% Sorbitol and 72 infusions of 20% Mannitol. The amounts given and the rate of infusion were varied. The results show that the rate of the infusion is decisive in determining the fall in intracranial pressure, while the duration of the fall is dependent on the amount injected. After Sorbitol the influence on lowering the pressure was more marked and longer lasting than after injections of Mannitol. As a possible treatment for raised intracranial pressure one may conclude that small amounts given over a shorter time (50-80 ml/5 min) produce the most favourable effect.