A fast method of estimating the elastance of the intracranial system.
The authors describe a fast method for estimating the elastance of the intracranial system in man. The method consists in constructing the so-called amplitude-pressure (Amp-P) curve which describes the relationship between the amplitude of pulse-related oscillations in cerebrospinal fluid pressure and the basic level of intracranial pressure. The Amp-P curve consists of two straight lines, and the point of intersection of these lines is thought to indicate the intracranial pressure level at which there occurs a qualitative change in the functioning of compensatory mechanisms of the intracranial system. The authors applied the method to examine the Amp-P curves of 10 patients without intracranial pathology and found that they provide a good description of the state and dynamics of the intracranial system. Preliminary data obtained in patients with intracranial pathology indicate that the method is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical patients.
D000328:Adult; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003201:Computers; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008722:Methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical