Raised Intercrainial Pressure in Meningitis

• Patient got suspected meningitis?
• Want to perform a lumbar puncture?
• Not if the patient has a raised ICP!
• But how can you tell?

One of the signs of raised ICP is Cushing's Triad - defined as:

• bradycardia
• hypertension (with widened pulse pressure)
• change in respiratory pattern

These signs might seem a little vague, but they are very telling if you consider the normal signs of sepsis. (tachycardia, hypotension)

[Emergency Medicine]