Question 6(p.2)

Last updated Thu, 07/08/2021 - 18:02
 Topic: Nervous system
Pass rate
70%
Other SAQs in this paper:
Other SAQs in this topic:

Describe the physiology of intracranial pressure and the physiological mechanisms that limit a rise in intracranial pressure.

[Click here to toggle visibility of the answers]

College Answer

Candidates who did well in this question used graphs to describe the various 
concepts, described normal physiology and covered the breadth of the topic. A good 
answer made mention of normal values of ICP, it’s variation with respiration and 
blood pressure and illustrated a trace of the ICP. An explanation of the Monroe Kelly 
doctrine was expected, CSF production and absorption and it’s relationship to raised 
ICP as well other compensatory mechanisms for a high ICP (eg displacement of 
CSF into spinal canal, displacement of venous blood into the jugular veins, rise in 
ICP leads to ischaemia if the brain. Critical ischaemia invokes the Cushing reflex.
Major omissions by candidates was the use of diagrams, description of normal 
variation and only a superficial knowledge of compensatory mechanisms.
Syllabus: G1, 2d,g
References: Textbook of Medical Physiology, Guyton, Chp 61

Discussion

  • Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure within the intracranial space relative to atmospheric pressure
    • It is determined by the three components of the Monro-Kellie relationship, which states that an increase in the volume of one intracranial compartment will lead to a rise in ICP unless it is matched by an equal reduction in the volume of another compartment
    • These compartments are:
      • Brain tissue: 1400ml on average
      • Cerebral blood volume: 150ml
      • Cerebrospinal fluid: 150ml
  • Normal intracranial pressure regulation
    • Intracranial pressure is normally ~ 10 mmHg in the supine person, and probably 0-2 mmHg in the upright person
    • ICP is well regulated within the normal physiological range by these main mechanisms:
      • Displacement of venous blood out of the CNS
        • Venous blood is a relatively large and relatively mobile component of the intracranial cavity, and can be moved out of the brain at short notice.
      • Displacement of CSF out of the brain and into the spinal cord
        • The compliance of the spinal meninges is usually better than the compliance of the cerebral meninges, and CSF can reflux into the spinal spaces if intracerebral pressure is raised
      • Distension of the meninges
        • dura-covered openings in the skull and spinal column are flexible, i.e. the dura can bulge out of these openings to accommodate a (small) volume.
      • Venting of the CSF into the venous circulation by increased reabsorption through arachnoid granulations
    • Intracranial compliance becomes poor if even small increases in volume occur, as these mechanisms are quickly overwhelmed (i.e. the intracranial compliance curve is hyperbolic):
      Intracranial compliance curve

References

Gomes, Joao A., and Anish Bhardwaj. "Normal intracranial pressure physiology." Cerebrospinal fluid in clinical practice (2008): 19-25.

Timofeev, Ivan. "The intracranial compartment and intracranial pressure." Essentials of Neuroanesthesia and Neurointensive Care. WB Saunders, 2008. 26-31.

Gergelé, Laurent, and Romain Manet. "Postural Regulation of Intracranial Pressure: A Critical Review of the Literature." Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement 131 (2021): 339-342.

Boulton, M., et al. "Raised intracranial pressure increases CSF drainage through arachnoid villi and extracranial lymphatics." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 275.3 (1998): R889-R896.

Mann, J. Douglas, et al. "Regulation of intracranial pressure in rat, dog, and man." Annals of Neurology: Official Journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society 3.2 (1978): 156-165.

Czosnyka, Marek, and John D. Pickard. "Monitoring and interpretation of intracranial pressure." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 75.6 (2004): 813-821.

Davson, H., G. Hollingsworth, and M. B. Segal. "The mechanism of drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid." Brain 93.4 (1970): 665-678.

Löfgren, Jan, Claes von Essen, and Nicolaus N. Zwetnow. "The pressure‐volume curve of the cerebrospinal fluid space in dogs." Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 49.4 (1973): 557-574.

Avezaat, C. J., J. H. Van Eijndhoven, and D. J. Wyper. "Cerebrospinal fluid pulse pressure and intracranial volume-pressure relationships." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 42.8 (1979): 687-700.

Langfitt, Thomas W., James D. Weinstein, and Neal F. Kassell. "Transmission of increased intracranial pressure: I. Within the craniospinal axis." Journal of neurosurgery 21.11 (1964): 989-997.

Langfitt, Thomas W., et al. "Transmission of increased intracranial pressure: II. Within the supratentorial space." Journal of neurosurgery 21.11 (1964): 998-1005.

Petersen, Lonnie Grove, et al. "Postural influence on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure in ambulatory neurosurgical patients." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 310.1 (2016): R100-R104.

Petersen, Lonnie Grove, et al. "Postural influence on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure in ambulatory neurosurgical patients." American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 310.1 (2016): R100-R104.

Haughton, V., and K-A. Mardal. "Spinal fluid biomechanics and imaging: an update for neuroradiologists." American Journal of Neuroradiology 35.10 (2014): 1864-1869.

[Submit a comment or correction]