Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure exerted by the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain tissue within the confines of the skull. Elevated ICP can lead to a number of neurological problems, including headache, nausea, vomiting, and vision problems. In severe cases, elevated ICP can be life-threatening.
There are a number of ways to measure ICP, including the use of an intraventricular catheter, a lumbar puncture, and a non-invasive ICP monitor. The most accurate method of measuring ICP is via an intraventricular catheter, but this is also the most invasive method. Lumbar puncture is a less invasive method, but it is less accurate than intraventricular catheterization. Non-invasive ICP monitors are the least invasive method, but they are also the least accurate.
