A computer-based method for comparisons of continuous intracranial pressure recordings within individual cases

Background. This study assessed two strategies of comparing continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) recordings within individual cases, namely either by calculation of differences in mean ICP or by calculation of differences in numbers of ICP elevations. Methods. Continuous ICP recordings before and after cranial surgery were both presented as mean ICP and as numbers of ICP elevations of different levels (20 and 25 mmHg lasting either 0.5 or 1 minute). Since the length of pressure recordings differed somewhat between individuals, the numbers of ICP elevations were standardised by computing the numbers of elevations during a 10 hours period. The ICP recordings were analysed by the Sensometrics(TM) Pressure Analyser software. The ICP curves included here were selected from a group of 15 children undergoing calvarial expansion surgery for craniosynostosis, in whom continuous ICP monitoring was performed both before and after surgery as part of the diagnostic workout to rule out lasting intracranial hypertension. Findings. After surgery, mean ICP during sleep was reduced by 5 mmHg or more in 5 cases, minimally changed (i.e. 2 mmHg or less) in 6 cases, and variably increased in the other 4 cases. In one of these 4 latter cases, numbers of ICP elevations were increased after surgery, but in all other 14 cases the numbers of ICP elevations were significantly reduced. Reduction of mean ICP by more than 2 mmHg associated with good outcome was observed in 3 of 15 cases (20%), whereas marked and significant reductions in numbers of ICP elevations during sleep combined with good outcome was observed in 12 of 15 cases (80%). Interpretation. Outcome after the 2(nd) ICP monitoring was more reliably predicted by computing differences in numbers of ICP elevations than by calculation of mean ICP.