As the ICP increases, what signs and symptoms can occur?
The body can respond in a number of ways to changes in ICP. Initially, the patients can have headache and vomiting. More advanced signs include localising neurology, reduced conscious levels or papilloedema (direct pressure to the optic nerve visible on ophthalmoscopy). Advanced changes can affect autonomic regulation - typically with increased, widened blood pressures with a low heart rate and abnormal respiratory rates. This is known as the "Cushing response".
WIthin the right frontal and temporal lobes are multiple foci of increased density with surrounding halos of low density. The areas of increased density represent haemorrhage within the brain parenchyma and the areas of low density represent oedema.
There is also an acute subdural collection and associated mass effect with midline shift.