Intracranial pressure measurement/cranial vault mechanics: clinical and experimental observations

Abstract

The absolute value of intracranial pressure (ICP) should be considered in conjunction with evaluation of a patient's clinical condition. In addition, other aspects of cranial vault mechanics may be important in multiple disease states. Among the important physiological measures of cranial vault sufficiency are hydrodynamic interaction between brain tissue, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)--volume-pressure relation, CSF dynamics--CSF outflow resistance, CSF production rate, sagittal sinus pressure, and appearance of ICP waves. Clinical and experimental studies brought together in this review provide an insight into the dynamics of ICP and the cranial vault.