Elevated intracranial pressure and computed tomography of the brain in fulminant hepatocellular failure.
Publication/Presentation Date
2-1-1991
Abstract
Cerebral herniation is a leading cause of death in patients with fulminant hepatocellular failure. Classical signs of elevated intracranial pressure are often absent in these patients. A reliable noninvasive method by which the presence of cerebral edema could be determined is much needed. To assess the efficacy of computed tomography of the brain in this setting, we compared the radiographic findings to the intracranial pressure measured by an epidural monitor in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Unfortunately, a considerable difference existed between the presence of cerebral edema diagnosed by computed tomography of the brain and elevation of the intracranial pressure. Our observations suggest that in patients with fulminant hepatic failure and advanced hepatic encephalopathy, computed tomography of the brain is of little value in detecting cerebral edema. Pressure monitoring is most important to establish the presence and guide the therapy of intracranial hypertension.
Volume
13
Issue
2
First Page
209
Last Page
212
ISSN
0270-9139
Published In/Presented At
Muñoz, S. J., Robinson, M., Northrup, B., Bell, R., Moritz, M., Jarrell, B., Martin, P., & Maddrey, W. C. (1991). Elevated intracranial pressure and computed tomography of the brain in fulminant hepatocellular failure. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 13(2), 209–212.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
1995433
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article