The effects of carbon dioxide on measuring cerebral spinal fluid pressure.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of pCO2 on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pressure measurement were observed in four patients.


METHODS
Children presenting with either a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of IIH, who were undergoing lumbar puncture under a general anaesthetic for pressure measurement, were recruited to study the relationship between pCO2 and CSF pressure measurements.


RESULTS
A rise of end-tidal pCO2 by 1 kPa causes a rise of CSF pressure by 3.5-12 cm H20.


CONCLUSIONS
Controlling of pCO2 is important when measuring CSF pressure to prevent misdiagnosis and over treatment of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
Lim
Ming Jin
MJ
Paediatric Neurology Department, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK. Ming.lim@gstt.nhs.uk
Lin
Jean-Pierre
JP
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D013129:Spinal Puncture
D002245:Carbon Dioxide