Intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) (2024)

Intracranial Pressure Monitoring (ICP)

Measures the pressure inside the child's skull. If there is a severe brain injury, head surgery, brain infection, or other problems, the brain may swell. Since the brain is covered by the skull, there is only a small amount of room for it to swell. This means that, as the brain swells, the pressure inside the skull goes up. If the pressure gets significantly higher than normal, it can cause damage to the brain. Persons who have hydrocephalus or brain tumors may also have their intracranial pressure monitored.

Intracranial pressure is measured in two ways. One way is to place a small, hollow tube (catheter) into the fluid-filled space in the brain (ventricle). Other times, a small, hollow device (bolt) is placed through the skull into the space just between the skull and the brain. Both devices are inserted by the physician either in the intensive care unit (ICU) or in the operating room. The ICP device is then attached to a monitor that gives a constant reading of the pressure inside the skull. If the pressure goes up, it can be treated right away. While the ICP device is in place, you will be given medication to stay comfortable. When the swelling has gone down and there is little chance of more swelling, the device will be removed.

Intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) (2024)

FAQs

What is the normal range for ICP monitoring? ›

It is normally 7-15 mm Hg in adults who are supine, with pressures over 20 mm Hg considered pathological and pressures over 15 mm Hg considered abnormal. Note that ICP is positional, with elevation of the head resulting in lower values. A standing adult generally has an ICP of -10 mm Hg but never less than -15 mm Hg.

How do you monitor ICP pressure? ›

The intraventricular catheter is the most accurate monitoring method. To insert an intraventricular catheter, a hole is drilled through the skull. The catheter is inserted through the brain into the lateral ventricle. This area of the brain contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

What is the most accurate way to monitor ICP? ›

Ventricular catheters represent a global ICP with minimal chances of drift and influence from pressure gradients between the parenchyma and ventricular system; this is the most reliable method of achieving maximum accuracy with minimal expense.

What is the normal ICP pressure? ›

The normal intracranial pressure (ICP) ranges from 7 to 15 mm Hg, while it does not exceed 15 mm Hg in the vertical position. Overnight sleep monitoring is considered the “gold standard” in conscious patients. Typically, ICP lowering therapy initiates when pressure exceeds 20 to 25 mm Hg.

What is a good ICP reading? ›

Normal pressure can be anything between 15 and -5 mmHg. maintained for some time to be recorded as such. ICP is measured in mercury (mmHg) and not water (cmH2O) as an LP is.

What ICP is too high? ›

A measurement greater than 20 mm Hg is suggestive of raised ICP. Brain imaging should precede an LP because LP can cause a sudden and rapid decrease in ICP and the sudden change in volume can lead to herniation. Several devices can be used for ICP monitoring.

What is the first indicator of elevated ICP? ›

Call your healthcare provider or 911 if you think you may be having symptoms of increased ICP, such as: Severe headache. Blurred vision. Feeling less alert than usual.

How do nurses monitor ICP? ›

The two most common devices for ICP monitoring are an intraparenchymal monitor and an intraventricular monitor using a ventriculostomy or external ventricular drain (EVD). The EVD is preferred because the catheter can also drain CSF and hence decrease intracranial pressure.

Which value indicates a normal intracranial pressure (ICP)? ›

CPP and ICP: The CPP, at its most basic, is dependent on the ICP and mean arterial pressure, and its normal range is 60 to 80 mm Hg. Under normal conditions, the ICP is between 5 and 10 mm Hg and thus has less of an impact on CPP than MAP for clinical situations not involving intracranial pathology.

What is the gold standard for ICP monitoring? ›

(1) Background: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring plays a key role in the treatment of patients in intensive care units, as well as during long-term surgeries and interventions. The gold standard is invasive measurement and monitoring via ventricular drainage or a parenchymal probe.

How to lower intracranial pressure at home? ›

losing weight if you're overweight. This can often help to reduce your symptoms and may sometimes relieve them altogether. stopping any medicine that may be causing your symptoms. medicine to remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics)

What are the four stages of increased intracranial pressure? ›

Intracranial hypertension is classified in four forms based on the etiopathogenesis: parenchymatous intracranial hypertension with an intrinsic cerebral cause, vascular intracranial hypertension, which has its etiology in disorders of the cerebral blood circulation, meningeal intracranial hypertension and idiopathic ...

How to check ICP pressure? ›

Intracranial pressure is measured in two ways. One way is to place a small, hollow tube (catheter) into the fluid-filled space in the brain (ventricle). Other times, a small, hollow device (bolt) is placed through the skull into the space just between the skull and the brain.

What are late signs of increased intracranial pressure? ›

Seizure. Late signs of intracranial pressure that comprise Cushing triad include hypertension with a widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and abnormal respiration. The presence of those signs indicates very late signs of brain stem dysfunction and that cerebral blood flow has been significantly inhibited.

What is a good ICP range? ›

Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure exerted by fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the skull and on the brain tissue. ICP is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and at rest, is normally 7–15 mmHg for a supine adult.

What is normal ICP limit? ›

Intracranial hypertension (IH), also called increased ICP (IICP) or raised intracranial pressure (RICP), is elevation of the pressure in the cranium. ICP is normally 7–15 mm Hg; at 20–25 mm Hg, the upper limit of normal, treatment to reduce ICP may be needed.

What is normal regulation of ICP? ›

Normal ICP (measured as the mean) typically is 10 cm H2O to 20 cm H2O, or 7 mm Hg to 14 mm Hg. ICP is governed by the relationship between volumes of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and intracranial blood in the arterial and venous compartments.

What is normal range for ICP and IOP? ›

The optic nerve is exposed not only to IOP in the eye, but also to intracranial pressure (ICP), as it is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid space. The average IOP is 10 to 21 mm Hg, whereas the average ICP is 5 to 15 mm Hg.

What is a normal ICP by age? ›

Normal ICP varies with age, and values are not well established for children. Normal ICP values are less than 10 – 15 mmHg for older children, less than 3 – 7 mmHg for younger children and less than 1.5 – 6 mmHg in term infants.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6031

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.