[Intracranial volume fluctuations. The importance of exact CSF-measurements in CSF-drainages (author's transl)].

The significance of simultaneous I.C.P. measurements together with exact C.S.F. volume measurements through the same ventricular catheter is emphasized. A new method using an electronic device is introduced. Volume fluctuations are shown as correlations of plateau waves. The fluctuating amount of C.S.F. (the probable equivalent of a plateau wave) ranges between 16 and 32 ml. Only with disturbed autoregulation is there a close correlation between the S.A.P. and the I.C.V. (intracranial volume) change. Simultaneous I.C.P. measurements up to a maximum pressure, determined by the level of the drainage system and corresponding to the primary brain dysfunction, together with electronic measurement of the drained C.S.F., seem to be ideal for the patient and for scientific purposes.