title: [Management of brain edema in acute head injury].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aim was to review the basic concepts and to analyze the current management of cerebral edema following acute head trauma (AHT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cerebral edema should be recognized and treated early and aggressively to avoid disastrous results such as cerebral herniation. After clinical evaluation and early cardiorespiratory stabilization, the patients should be treated with the elevation of head, oxygen, mannitol, hyperventilation, and sedation-myorelaxation and may avoid from hypotension-hypoxia. If these treatments be unsuccessful, barbiturates may be used. There are also other possibilities such as hypothermia, ventriculostomy, hypertonic saline and neuroprotector agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients with AHT should be evaluated early and cerebral edema should be treated with correct therapy. Therefore, the mortality and morbidity rates may reduce.
authors.affiliation: Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi Tip Fakültesi Acil Tip ABD Kurupelit 55139-Samsun. daygun@omu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Dursun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aygün
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: Zahide
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Doğanay
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altintop
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bildik
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yerliyurt
authors.forename: Havva
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahin
mesh_terms: D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008353:Mannitol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008353:Mannitol