What is cerebral edema?
What is cerebral edema?
The most basic definition of cerebral edema is swelling of the brain. It is a relatively common phenomenon with numerous etiologies. Cerebral edema categorizes into either vasogenic, cellular, osmotic, and interstitial causes.
What are the 3 types of cerebral edema?
Cerebral edema occurs due to an increase in brain fluid content and can be divided into three forms: cytotoxic, vasogenic and interstitial, or a combination (Table II).
What causes edema in the brain?
The main causes of this type of edema include traumatic brain injury, metabolic disease, infections like encephalitis or meningitis, or the ingestion of chemicals like methanol or ecstasy. Vasogenic If you have a stroke, there’s a chance your brain will swell because of a blood clot or a lack of oxygen.
What is the pathogenesis of cerebral edema?
Pathophysiology of cerebral edema at cellular level is complex. Damaged cells swell, injured blood vessels leak and blocked absorption pathways force fluid to enter brain tissues. Cellular and blood vessel damage follows activation of an injury cascade.
What is the difference between cerebral edema and hydrocephalus?
Cerebral oedema can be classified as the tangible swelling produced by expansion of the interstitial fluid volume. Hydrocephalus can be succinctly described as the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain which ultimately leads to oedema within specific sites of parenchymal tissue.
What is the treatment for cerebral edema?
Currently available to control brain swelling include osmotic agents (with emphasis on mannitol and hypertonic saline solutions), corticosteroids, hyperventilation, sedation (propofol, barbiturates), neuromuscular paralysis, hypothermia, and surgical interventions.
How is cerebral edema diagnosed?
Common exams and tests used in the diagnosis include:
- Head and neck exam.
- Neurologic exam.
- CT scan of the head to identify the extent and location of the swelling.
- MRI of the head to identify the extent and location of the swelling.
- Blood tests to check for causes of the swelling.
- Lumbar puncture.
What is treatment for cerebral edema?
What are the types of edema?
Types
- Peripheral edema: This affects the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and arms.
- Pulmonary edema: This occurs when excess fluid collects in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
- Cerebral edema: This occurs in the brain.
- Macular edema: This is a serious complication of diabetic retinopathy.
What is edema in biology?
Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body’s tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected.