ABSTRACT
The main purpose of monitoring the intracranial pressure (ICP) is to monitor the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), which is the pressure differential across the arteriovenous bed in the brain. The ICP and its waveforms provide information about intracranial dynamics and brain compliance, including the CPP, regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and volume, absorption capacity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), compensatory reserve of the brain, and content of vasogenic events. Alternative noninvasive methods to assess ICP have however been sought because of the additional risks that they may pose to the patient and high costs associated with ICP sensor implantation. A detailed clinical examination along with imaging modalities forms the basis for all ICP monitoring techniques: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, tympanic membrane displacement and optic nerve sheath diameter (OSND). Current ICP monitors can be placed in intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subarachnoid, subdural, or epidural locations.
