title: High-dose dexamethasone therapy in head injury: a patient group that may benefit from therapy.
abstract: Three patients with head injuries and focal areas of low density on CT who deteriorated progressively with uncontrollable rising intracranial pressure (ICP) are described. High-dose dexamethasone therapy was followed by a substantial decrease in ICP during the following 24 h. Features that the patients had in common are a young age group, an initial GCS of 10 or more and an elevation of ICP 2 days or longer after admission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, H. F. Verwoerd Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Du Plessis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone