Intracranial pressure and its deviations

Intracranial pressure is a very important indicator in the diagnosis of pathology of the nervous system, the nature of disease, not only the brain but also the spinal. This kind of hypertension reflects the pressure level of the fluid in the ventricles, circulates through the spinal cord.

To measure the intracranial pressure quantitatively is possible only if the puncture canal or the ventricles of the brain. Not every doctor is able to properly perform the procedure. It is not done on an outpatient basis only in a hospital. There are times when consultation and lumbar puncture is necessary to call specialists from the neurosurgery clinics or offices.

Difficulties arise at the stage of estimating. Treatment of raised intracranial pressure difficult large "scale" metric: mm of water column – 60-200 mm Hg – 3-15. To replace the measurement of computer or magnetic resonance tomography impossible. These techniques reveal only indirect evidence of hypertension within the skull.

What are the anatomical structures responsible for maintaining normal intracranial pressure?

To protect brain tissue a person has three shell:

• soft,
• arachnoid (arachnoid),
• solid.

About 1/10 of the volume of the skull of an adult (150 ml) filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Its main purpose:

• to maintain the necessary balance of water and electrolytes in the nerve cells;
• to carry power;
• to protect the fixed structure of the spinal cord.

70% of the fluid is formed in the glandular cells of the cerebral ventricles, the so-called internal cavity of the brain (2 lateral, third, and fourth). Up to 30% of the volume is compensated by the exit of the liquid portion of blood from the vessels into the cavity of the ventricles. A full update comes through every 7 days.

Common collector is the fourth ventricle. In it, the liquid collects and moves through a special opening into the space between the soft and arachnoid membranes (subarachnoid).

In the deep grooves and crevices of the brain, in the area of the base, there are 6 liquor tanks. Here the liquid is discharged from the fourth ventricle and absorbed by the cells. Unwanted residues are returned in the venous vessels of the brain.

What happens if you violate the mechanism of circulation?

Failure of the circulation is possible in connection with violations at any stage:

• change producing glandular cells;
• increased yield of the arteries;
• mechanical obstacle to the free flow in the ventricles;
• reverse suction.

As a result, within the skull delayed the extra fluid volume that stretches the meninges,compresses soft tissue structures. This is manifested such symptoms of the pathology, as increased intracranial pressure.

In the clinic it is important to distinguish physiological increased intracranial pressure manifestations of the disease. The figure is found at:

• stress;
• the head tilts forward;
• the screaming, crying (child);
• after natureway on the background of the heavy lifting.

Hypertension in the skull in the norm increases almost three times without any symptoms of disease. Reduction occurs spontaneously, therefore, is called benign intracranial pressure. It is believed that the same normal rate is available to 70% of newborns.

• hyperthyroidism,
• obesity,
• adrenal insufficiency;
• encephalopathy liver.

Among the reasons not to miss a brain injury when:

• injuries of the skull (open and closed);
• moved the stroke;
• surgery.

Trapped in the subarachnoid space, the blood damages the villi, suction the fluid into the veins of the skull. Thrombosis occurs with venous stasis.

What are the causes of low intracranial pressure?

The main reason for the downward pressure of the CSF — skull fractures, injury of the meninges with fluid leakage to the outside. This mechanism is equally typical in adults and children. A similar effect is achieved specially in the course of medical drainage of the ventricles of the brain or at lumbar puncture during the operation on the brain.

Other causes are:

• prolonged spasm of cerebral vessels;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• beriberi;
• uncontrolled diuretics with subsequent dehydration;
• chronic intoxication by alcohol, drugs, medicines;
• a manifestation of severe allergic reactions;
• infectious diseases;
• osteochondrosis in the cervical-thoracic and thoracic;
• heart disease and blood vessels, accompanied by hypotension;
• endocrine disorders causing disruption of normal hormone balance (pregnancy, in the period of menstruation, before menopause).

As you can see, the list of reasons for the increase and decrease intracranial pressure overlaps. This confirms the individual reaction of each person.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure

The most frequent symptom of cerebral hypertension, are headaches. They are caused by the high sensitivity of the arachnoid to stretching.