Increased intracranial pressure is a rise in normal brain pressure.

Increased intracranial pressure can be due to a rise in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. It can also be due to increased pressure within the brain matter caused by lesions (such as a tumor) or swelling within the brain matter itself.

An increase in intracranial pressure is a serious medical problem. The pressure itself can damage the central nervous system by pressing on important brain structures and by restricting blood flow through blood vessels that supply the brain.

Many conditions can increase intracranial pressure. Common causes include:

• Aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Brain tumor
• Encephalitis
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypertensive brain hemorrhage
• Intraventricular hemorrhage
• Meningitis
• Severe head injury
• Subdural hematoma
• Status epilepticus
• Stroke

Infants:

• Drowsiness
• Separated sutures
• Soft spot on top of the head (bulging fontanelle)
• Vomiting

• Behavior changes
• Headache
• Progressive decreased consciousness, lethargy
• Neurologic problems
• Seizures
• Vomiting

A health care provider will usually make this diagnosis at the patient's bedside in an emergency room or hospital. Primary care doctors may sometimes spot early symptoms of raised intracranial pressure, such as headache, seizures, or neurologic problems.

An MRI or CT scan can often determine the cause and confirm the diagnosis.

Intracranial pressure may be measured during a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). It can also be measured directly by using a device that is drilled through the skull or a tube (catheter) that is inserted inside the brain.