Intracranial pressure and its epidural measurement.

The various factors that influence intracranial pressure are described as well as the threat to the patients health of increased intracranial pressure. Of the different methods for measuring intracranial pressure the epidural method is described extensively with the emphasis on coplanarity and stability of the transducer. In 74 cases, clinical comparisons of epidural and intraventricular pressure measurements showed similar curves over the measured time. In 84% of the cases, the absolute values were identical within 5 mm Hg. The conclusion drawn is, that the method has proved its clinical value. But more fundamental research, both methodological and clinical is needed for better understanding of the method and to resolve the remaining problems.