Necessity for ICP monitoring to supplement GCS in head trauma cases

The necessity for ICP monitoring together with GCS findings to detect deterioration in head trauma cases and determine the treatment required was studied. There were 18 subjects (14 males, 4 females) aged from 11 to 61. Cases of primary brain stem damage were excluded. Eight cases had GCS of 6-10, and 10 cases scores of 11-15. Initial CTs of these cases indicated the following conditions: thin acute extradural haematoma (A-EDH), thin acute subdural haematoma (A-SDH), brain contusion, and single or multiple intracerebral haematoma (ICH). However, in no case was any mass effect clearly shown. Medical decompression (osmotherapy, barbiturate, steroid and mechanical hyperventilation) was carried out with simultaneous ICP monitoring. Based upon our cases which showed a GCS score of 10 or less, ICP monitoring should accompany medical decompression. Where the ICP cannot be maintained below 20 mm Hg, there is a high risk (about 60%) of haematoma enlargement, delayed haematoma, or increasing brain oedema. ICP monitoring in these cases should be maintained for at least one week. Timely surgical decompression is necessary when the ICP stays above 20 mm Hg, the GCS score drops below 10, and repeat CT scan indicates progress of the mass effect.