Increased Intracranial Pressure

The possibility of increased intracranial pressure must be considered in a patient whose symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, problems with memory, vision and balance or impaired level of consciousness. Direct ophthalmoscopy should be performed for the presence of papilloedema; normal optic discs do not, however, rule out rapidly increasing intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure warrants immediate imaging of the head at an appropriate hospital in order to establish the cause and the correct treatment approach.The so-called brain emergency must be promptly recognized and its emergency care, imaging and treatment must be immediately organized.