AbstractPurpose: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is complication of traumatic brain injury. Early detection of raised ICP is helpful in timely treatment. Bed side ultrasound of optic nerve sheath is easier for detection of raised intracranial pressure by measuring its diameter. Our aim was to determine whether bedside ultrasound measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) can accurately predict raised intracranial pressure in head injury patients and to calculation of validity of test.
Methods and Materials: Total 150 patients with head injury was first examined by ultrasound. The ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the globe perpendicular to long axis of globe in both eyes than mean binocular ONSD was calculated. Diameter more than 5 mm was considered abnormal. CT scan was performed in all patients and result was considered positive for elevated ICP if mid line shift, effacement of sulci, ventricles and cisterns are seen.
Results: Out of total 150 patients 61 was female and 89 was male, age was ranging from 23-61 years. 30 patients showed mean binocular ONSD >5mm by ultrasound out of them 26 patients showed positive signs of raised intracranial pressure on CT. Sensitivity and negative predictive value of ultrasound to detect raised ICP was 100%, Specificity was 96.7 % and negative predictive value was 86.6 %.
Conclusions: Ultrasound can be used as bed side screening tool to detect raised ICP in ICU patients and head trauma patients especially in hospital with high patient flow in emergency department.
