Induced Changes of Cerebrospinal Fluid Volume

Abstract

Observations were made to test the hypothesis that the relationship between additions to the volume of the intracranial contents and the resulting intracranial pressure is exponential, and that during the development of intracranial space-cocupying lesions there is a stage before the resting level of intracranial pressure is much increased when a small additional volume will result in a considerable rise in pressure. The effect on ventricular fluid pressure (VFP) of an induced change of 1 ml in cerebrospinal fluid volume was studied in 20 patients during continuous monitoring of VFP. The effect of surgical removal of intracranial space-occupying lesions on this relationship was studied in an additional three patients. The results support the hypothesis, and in individual patients this technique provides useful data about the remaining compensatory capacity for further increases in intracranial volume.