Treatment of intracranial hypertension of malign tumour origin

Abstract

Brain tumours are a frequent cause of intracraneal hypertension syndrome, clinically manifested by headache, nausea and vomiting, and a decrease in the level of consciousness. The keypoint sign of intracraneal hypertension is papilloedema. Other manifestations depend on the localization of the tumour, appearing as neurological focality and seizures. The causes of intracranial hypertension of tumoural origin are the mass effect of the tumour, brain edema, the possibility of intratumoural haemorrhage and hydrocephalus caused by obstruction in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. The treatments employed, medical or surgical, act against these causes.