Progressive parenchymatous intracranial hypertension: Review

Abstract

The parenchymatous intracranial hypertension is the intracranial pressure increase caused by the intracranial volume modifications due to an intrinsic parenchymatous lesion (expansive intra-parenchymatous lesion, brain edema, etc.) or an extrinsic lesion (tumor, traumatic, infectious extra-parenchymatous compression, etc.). Depending on the location and the development manner, intracranial expansive processes cause the progressive increase in the intracranial pressure and then the occurrence of the ICH syndrome by the development of a supplementary volume. Benign intracranial tumors have a slow volume increasing rate and the neurological syndrome is installed progressively, while the ICH syndrome may occur late. Malign tumors have a rapid development rate and the neurological syndrome occurs precociously. The clinical decompensation represents the aggravation of the symptomatology by the tumor extension or by exceeding the compensating capacities of the intracranial pressure increase.