The Pathophysiology of Brain Edema and Intracranial Hypertension

Abstract

Brain edema is defined as an increase in brain volume resulting from abnormal accumulation of fluid within the brain parenchyma. Brain edema is a potentially life-threatening complication of neurocritical illness as it raises the intracranial pressure and may progress to brain herniation and death. The management of brain edema and increased intracranial pressure is a significant challenge in neurocritical care. The purpose of this review is to describe the pathophysiology of diverse types of brain edema.

Keywords

• Brain edema
• Vasogenic edema
• Cytotoxic edema
• Interstitial edema
• Intracranial hypertension