Percutaneous placement of subdural catheter for measurement of intracranial pressure in small children.

Broadening indications for continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in neonates and small infants have created increasing interest in modalities which would permit measurement of ICP safely and accurately. Such monitoring allows rapid initiation of treatment when increased ICP is observed. Using a new technique for subdural tap, the authors inserted percutaneously a subdural catheter in 9 patients, 5 had cerebral ischemia, and 4 had CNS infection. These patients exhibited marked changes in ICP during the course of their disease, often within a short time period. Continuous monitoring made it possible to initiate treatment immediately at the onset of increased ICP. In this series, no complication related to the subdural catheter placement was observed., This technique proved to be highly accurate, effective, safe, and very easy to perform.