Tag: Osmotic therapy

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury is a life-threatening emergency. In cases of subdural hematoma (SDH), a condition where blood collects between the brain's covering and its surface, the question often arises: can we give mannitol in SDH? Yes, mannitol is a potent osmotic diuretic used as a standard temporizing measure to reduce ICP, but its application is specifically reserved for patients showing clinical or radiographic signs of increased pressure, and it is not used prophylactically.

While primarily used to reduce elevated intracranial or intraocular pressure, the systemic administration of the osmotic diuretic mannitol is known to cause a range of side effects, including headaches. This occurs due to complex physiological changes, such as fluid shifts and electrolyte imbalances, that impact the central nervous system.

Intracranial hypertension, a sustained pressure above 20 mmHg, is a life-threatening emergency often seen after traumatic brain injury, and its presence significantly increases the risk of death [1.2.2]. So, in these critical moments, **what does hypertonic saline do to the brain?**

In the United States, about 33% of children with severe traumatic brain injury receive hypertonic saline and 40% receive mannitol as part of osmotic therapy to manage brain swelling. So, **what is osmotic therapy?** It is a critical medical intervention that uses osmotically active substances to reduce fluid volume in the brain.