MALIGNANT CEREBRAL EDEMA AND INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION

Clinical deterioration in patients with cerebral edema often is assumed to be secondary to intracranial hypertension. Cerebral edema, however, leads to clinical worsening by several mechanisms; global elevation of intracranial pressure usually is a late consequence. Brain tissue shifts and distortion also are important mechanisms. This article focuses on distinguishing between inh-acranial hypertension and cerebral edema.