Obtaining better approximated normal values for intracranial pressure in humans

The quest for normal values

Despite increased research within the field during the last decade, knowledge on the ‘normal’ intracranial pressure in healthy humans remains limited. Accepted reference values are assumed to be 7–15 mmHg, while previous research conducted by our group suggests lower normal values that are highly dependent on body position and with negative values in an upright position.

Documented ‘normal values’ can be used in the treatment of neurosurgical diseases such as hydrocephalus, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injury. Previous research was based on a relatively small patient population, and the overall aim of the present study is to determine normal values for intracranial pressure in healthy adults by expanding the patient population.

Approach

Patients undergoing neurosurgery for an unruptured aneurysm with no complication during the surgery, will — if consent is given — have a telemetric ICP sensor implanted at the end of the surgery. Subsequently, intracranial pressure values will be collected. For a more comprehensive description of the study, see the registered study protocol at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03594136).

The project will be coordinated by medical student Nicolas Norager Hernandez, and is classified as an observational European multicenter study. Inclusion began at Rigshospitalet, Denmark, in December 2018, while inclusion at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden and at the Military University Hospital, Prague in the Czech Republic is planned to start at the end of 2019.