Clinical evaluation of a simple epidural pressure sensor

The Plastimed epidural pressure sensor was evaluated in 35 patients, twenty-eight of whom were suffering from head injury. In seven patients simultaneous intraventricular pressure measurements were obtained. The epidural pressure sensor was only functioning satisfactorily in approximately 2/3 of the patients, while it was malfunctioning or not functioning in the remainder. In seven comparable IVP/EDP studies significant differences up to 25 mm Hg were noted. In three patients IVP was greater than EDP. In two patients the opposite was true. No significant complications were observed. These unsatisfactory results have made us abandon the technique and resort to intraventricular or subarachnoidal pressure measurements.