Intracranial pressure and cerebral oxygenation changes after decompressive craniectomy in a child with traumatic brain swelling

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 5-year-old child with severe traumatic brain injury in whom decompressive hemicraniectomy was performed for progressive increased intracranial pressure (ICP) unresponsive to medical treatment. Data from ICP and cerebral tissue oxygenation monitoring in the contralateral hemisphere were recorded, which demonstrated the immediate and delayed mechanical and physiological changes occurring after bony and dural decompression. The role of the procedure and that of the monitoring approach are discussed.