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You are here : 3-RX.com > Home > Brain - Neurology -

New marker for raised intracranial pressure

Brain • • NeurologySep 11, 08

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of the thickness of the optic nerve sheath are a good marker for raised intracranial pressure (ICP). New research published today in BioMed Central’s open access journal Critical Care shows that a retro-bulbar optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) above 5.82mm predicts raised ICP in 90% of cases.

The dural sheath surrounding the optic nerve communicates with the subarachnoid space and distends when ICP is elevated. Thomas Geeraerts, from Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, led a team who investigated whether MRI can be used to precisely measure the diameter of the optic nerve and its sheath. He said, “Raised ICP is frequent in conditions such as stroke, liver failure and meningitis. It is associated with increased mortality and poor neurological outcomes. As a result, the early detection and treatment of raised ICP is critical, but often challenging. Our MRI-based technique provides a useful, non-invasive solution”.

The early detection of raised ICP can be very difficult when invasive devices are not available. As the authors report, “Clinical signs of raised ICP such as headache, vomiting and drowsiness are not specific and are often difficult to interpret. In sedated patients, clinical signs frequently appear well after the internal damage has been done. Optic nerve sheath distension could be an early, reactive and sensitive sign of raised ICP”.

The authors carried out a retrospective blinded analysis of brain MR images in a prospective cohort of 38 patients requiring ICP monitoring after traumatic brain injury and 36 healthy controls. Geeraerts said, “We found that ONSD measurement was able to provide a quantitative estimate of the likelihood of significant cranial hypertension”.

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Notes to Editors

1. Using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the optic nerve sheath to detect raised intracranial pressure
Thomas Geeraerts, Virginia FJ Newcombe, Jonathan P Coles, Maria Giulia Abate, Iain E Perkes, Peter JA Hutchinson, Jo G Outtrim, Dot A Chatfield and David K Menon
Critical Care (in press)

During embargo, article available here: http://ccforum.com/imedia/4140270211087711_article.pdf?random=302473
After the embargo, article available at the journal website: http://ccforum.com/

Please name the journal in any story you write. If you are writing for the web, please link to the article. All articles are available free of charge, according to BioMed Central’s open access policy.

Article citation and URL available on request at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on the day of publication.

2. Critical Care is a high quality, peer-reviewed, international clinical medical journal. Critical Care aims to improve the care of critically ill patients by acquiring, discussing, distributing, and promoting evidence-based information relevant to intensivists. The journal is edited by Prof Jean-Louis Vincent (Belgium) and has an Impact Factor of 3.83

3. BioMed Central (http://www.biomedcentral.com/) is an independent online publishing house committed to providing immediate access without charge to the peer-reviewed biological and medical research it publishes. This commitment is based on the view that open access to research is essential to the rapid and efficient communication of science.

Contact: Graeme Baldwin
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
44-020-707-94804
BioMed Central



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