Question

What lab tests might be ordered and helpful with a patient who has increased intracranial pressure?

Answer 1

Intracranial pressure is defined as the pressure inside the skull experienced by brain structures and CSF.

Increased intracranial pressure is defined as elevated pressure inside the cranium.

Causes for raised ICP are head injury, stroke, hematoma, brain infections, brain tumors.

Symptoms of raised ICP are vomitting, headache, papiloedema, dilated pupils, seizures, motor and sensory deficits, dilated pupils, brain structure shifts, brain herniation, hematoma, brain edema.

The diagnosis for increased ICP can be done through following:

1. Physical examination including pupilary response. Pupils are dilated in case of raised ICP.

2. Lumbar puncture or spinal tap

3. CSF analysis to check for infections

4. MRI and CT scan to identify cause of raised ICP