Intracranial hypertension and brain oedema in albino rabbits. Part 2: Effects of acute therapy with diuretics.

Increased intracranial pressure due to brain oedema was produced in albino rabbits by combining a cryogenic lesion in the left hemisphere with the intraperitoneal administration of 6-aminonicotinamide (cytotoxic agent). The most effective reduction in ICP (74%) was achieved when furosemide and mannitol were used in combination. When either mannitol or furosemide was employed alone, the average ICP reduction was approximately 53%. Peak ICP reduction occurred at 45 minutes with furosemide, 30 minutes with mannitol and furosemide combined, and at 60 minutes with a combination of mannitol and acetazolamide. Also studied simultaneously in these animals were investigated elastance (Em), brain water content, hemispheric water volume content, electrolytes, EEG, and gross pathology. Following therapy there was a statistically significance reduction of water content in the left hemisphere (cryogenic lesion) by all therapeutic modalities except with furosemide alone. In the right hemisphere the water content was reduced by furosemide and the furosemide-mannitol combination but not by the association of mannitol with acetazolamide. A significant decrease of brain sodium was noted only for the combination of mannitol and furosemide. This study indicates that effective reduction of cytotoxic-cryogenic brain oedema and intracranial hypertension can be obtained with a variety of diuretic agents. From the standpoint of tissue dehydration, restoration of tissue electrolyte balance, and rate of ICP reduction, the combination of furosemide-mannitol appears to offer advantages over furosemide alone, or acetazolamide-mannitol.