Intraocular Pressure Predicts Intracranial Pressure in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Elevated intraocular pressure identifies children with intracranial pressures above 20 cm H₂O.

Invasive intracranial pressure transducers are commonly used to assess intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and altered levels of consciousness. Previously, investigators found a strong correlation between intraocular pressure (IOP) and ICP in adults who required invasive intracranial pressure monitors (JW Emerg Med Jun 16 2004). To determine whether IOP predicts ICP in children with TBI, investigators prospectively studied 36 children (age range, 2–15 years) with TBI and Glasgow Coma Scale scores <8 who required ICP monitoring at a single pediatric intensive care unit.

A total of 274 ICP measurements were performed simultaneously with bilateral tonometric IOP measurements every 8 hours until intracranial…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)