What is ICP (intracranial pressure) monitoring?
ICP is used to measure pressure in the head and determine treatment. Pressure is affected by the amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. The CSF cushions the brain and spinal cord. Pressure in your head may increase if there is too much CSF. The pressure may increase as a result of brain swelling after surgery or after a brain injury. Symptoms of increased pressure include: • headache • being very sleepy • decrease in appetite • nausea and vomiting How is the ICP monitor placed? If needed, the patient will be put to sleep, or sedated while the monitor is placed. In some cases, we will use medicine to relax the patient while the monitor is placed. In order to place the monitor, the skin is numbed. A small incision is made in the front of the scalp. Then, a small hole is drilled into the skull. The ICP sensing device is placed a short distance into the brain. A dressing will keep the device in place. The pressure is watched 24 – 48 hours. The patient will need to stay in bed
