Intracranial pressure monitoring uses a device, placed inside the head, which senses the pressure inside the skull and sends its measurements to a recording device.

ICP monitoring; CSF pressure monitoring

There are three ways to monitor pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure).

INTRAVENTRICULAR CATHETER

The intraventricular catheter is thought to be the most accurate method.

To insert an intraventricular catheter, a burr hole is drilled through the skull. The catheter is inserted through the brain into the lateral ventricle. This area usually contains liquid (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) that protects the brain and spinal cord.

The intracranial pressure (ICP) can be monitored this way. The ICP also can be lowered by draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) out through the catheter.

The catheter may be hard to get into place when the intracranial pressure is high.

SUBDURAL SCREW

This method is used if the patient needs to be monitored right away. A subdural screw or bolt is a hollow screw that is inserted through a hole drilled in the skull. It is placed through the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord (dura mater). This allows the sensor to record from inside the subdural space.

EPIDURAL SENSOR

Images

Intracranial pressure monitoring

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Intracranial pressure monitoring Results

Review Date: 04/30/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)