Intracranial pressure monitoring in the 1990s.

Monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) has grown beyond that of obtaining of a single pressure value. Critical thinking must be employed by health professionals before the insertion of an ICP monitoring device. Given the wide selection of monitoring devices currently available, consideration must be given to what the goal of monitoring is for an individual patient.

Interpretation of ICP pulse waves to determine intracerebral compliance.

Recently, several authors have identified the need for monitoring cerebral compliance in addition to intracranial pressure (ICP) when managing patients with neurologic dysfunction. Analysis of the ICP pulse wave is one method for determining compliance. The ICP pulse wave, observed on a continuous real time pressure monitor display corresponding to each heart beat has three components analogous to the components of the arterial pulse wave.

Fluid and electrolyte problems associated with diabetes insipidus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.

This article has presented the complex system by which the hypothalamus regulates body fluid balance. In summary, ADH is synthesized and released via the hypothalamohypophyseal system. The supraoptic nucleus in the hypothalamus produces the ADH and the neurohypophysis stores and releases it.