Increase in the chronically monitored cerebrospinal fluid pressure after experimental brain injury in rats

The early effects of experimental brain injury with diffuse axonal lesions on intracranial pressure (i.c.p.), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in rats have been already studied. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effects of brain injury on ICP, MAP and CPP during the first few days post-injury. In order to do that, an accurate technique of ICP measurement had to be developed. In a series of eight rats, a translumbar intrathecal catheter (TIC) was surgically introduced allowing repeated measurements of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP). Under anaesthesia, a second series of nine rats were equipped simultaneously with TIC and an intracranial fiberoptic device to measure ICP. Simultaneous measurements of CSFP and ICP were recorded for baseline values, than during and after jugular compression which was intended to induce an acute and significant increase in ICP. A third series of 53 rats having TIC received an experimental severe brain injury. MAP was measured non-invasively and CPP was calculated as CPP-MAP. CSFP, MAP and CPP were intermittently measured during 5-6 post-traumatic days and compared to the values obtained during ten control rats (SHAM). A clinical score was used to compare clinical condition. The results showed that the translumbar CSFP accurately measured ICP in rats having normal or acutely increased ICP. The experimental brain injury induced increased CSFP lasting up to 5-6 days, with increased MAP during the first 6 hours. CPP values were compromised at 24-48 hours. The clinical performance was reduced in the brain-injured rats. The translumbar technique of CSFP measurement reflected exact ICP in normal and acutely increased ICP in rats. Experimental brain injury with diffuse axonal lesions can increase lumbar CSFP in rats for many days.