Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Cerebral edema is the swelling of the brain as a result of an injury. The thick skull surrounding the brain prevents tissue from expanding when injured. This pressure restricts blood circulation and deprives the brain of the oxygen it needs to function properly. Elevated pressure in the brain as a result of cerebral edema can be damaging and possibly life threatening without medical treatment.
A stroke is the most likely cause of cerebral edema, and it can be life-threatening. This article covers the types, symptoms, and treatment of cerebral edema.
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Cerebral edema of any type results in increased pressure on the brain. The most common types of cerebral edema include:
Although the types of cerebral edema depend on the cause, each results in swelling that prevents oxygen and nutrients from circulating through the brain.
The symptoms of cerebral edema depend on the type and cause of the edema. Cerebral edema can be localized to a small part of the brain or affect the entire brain, which can dictate some of the symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
Blood pressure may increaseto compensate for the decreased blood flow in the brain. This results in irregular breathing and a reduced heart rate.
Causes
A number of neurological injuries and conditions can cause cerebral edema. These include:
Non-neurological conditions and certain environmental factors can also cause cerebral edema. These include:
Certain environmental factors, like being at a high altitude, have also been known to cause cerebral edema.
A patient’s symptoms will determine what diagnostic tools a physician uses to examine a patient. The initial exam may include a neurological exam to assess motor and sensory skills, hearing, speech, vision, balance, and coordination.
Diagnostic tests for cerebral edema include:
Results of diagnostic testing will indicate what type of treatment a patient will receive for cerebral edema.
The goal of treatment is to re-regulate blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
Treatments for cerebral edema will vary depending on the cause of the condition.
Treatment for cerebral edema may include:
Patients experiencing more extensive cerebral edema will require close bedside monitoring and level of consciousness (LOC) examinations. Frequent neurological checks are performed to measure any new or declining neurological changes.
Worsening changes in the level of consciousness or neurological function often require admission to anintensive care unit(ICU).
The prognosis of cerebral edema depends on the cause and severity of the injury and how quickly medical intervention occurs.
Cerebral edema can have long-term residual effects that can last anywhere from weeks to months. In some cases, neurological deficits may be permanent.
If left untreated, severe cerebral edema can cause brain and brainstem compression or could lead to death.
A Word From Verywell
Cerebral edema is a serious condition that requires medical treatment. However, effective treatments and knowledgable medical professionals who are experienced in neurological care can help. If you or someone around you experiences a head injury or a decline in neurological function, you should go to the emergency room or contact your physician as soon as possible.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Stokum JA, Gerzanich V, Simard JM.Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral edema.J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016;36(3):513-538. doi:10.1177/0271678X15617172Turner REF, Gatterer H, Falla M, Lawley JS.High-altitude cerebral edema: its own entity or end-stage acute mountain sickness?J Appl Physiol. 2021;131(1):313-325. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00861.2019Wijdicks EFM, Sheth KN, Carter BS, et al.Recommendations for the management of cerebral and cerebellar infarction with swelling.Stroke. 2014;45(4):1222-1238. doi:10.1161/01.str.0000441965.15164.d6Jha RM, Kochanek PM, Simard JM.Pathophysiology and treatment of cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury.Neuropharmacology. 2019;145(Pt B):230-246. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.004
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Stokum JA, Gerzanich V, Simard JM.Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral edema.J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016;36(3):513-538. doi:10.1177/0271678X15617172Turner REF, Gatterer H, Falla M, Lawley JS.High-altitude cerebral edema: its own entity or end-stage acute mountain sickness?J Appl Physiol. 2021;131(1):313-325. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00861.2019Wijdicks EFM, Sheth KN, Carter BS, et al.Recommendations for the management of cerebral and cerebellar infarction with swelling.Stroke. 2014;45(4):1222-1238. doi:10.1161/01.str.0000441965.15164.d6Jha RM, Kochanek PM, Simard JM.Pathophysiology and treatment of cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury.Neuropharmacology. 2019;145(Pt B):230-246. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Increased intracranial pressure.Stokum JA, Gerzanich V, Simard JM.Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral edema.J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016;36(3):513-538. doi:10.1177/0271678X15617172Turner REF, Gatterer H, Falla M, Lawley JS.High-altitude cerebral edema: its own entity or end-stage acute mountain sickness?J Appl Physiol. 2021;131(1):313-325. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00861.2019Wijdicks EFM, Sheth KN, Carter BS, et al.Recommendations for the management of cerebral and cerebellar infarction with swelling.Stroke. 2014;45(4):1222-1238. doi:10.1161/01.str.0000441965.15164.d6Jha RM, Kochanek PM, Simard JM.Pathophysiology and treatment of cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury.Neuropharmacology. 2019;145(Pt B):230-246. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.004
Stokum JA, Gerzanich V, Simard JM.Molecular pathophysiology of cerebral edema.J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016;36(3):513-538. doi:10.1177/0271678X15617172
Turner REF, Gatterer H, Falla M, Lawley JS.High-altitude cerebral edema: its own entity or end-stage acute mountain sickness?J Appl Physiol. 2021;131(1):313-325. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00861.2019
Wijdicks EFM, Sheth KN, Carter BS, et al.Recommendations for the management of cerebral and cerebellar infarction with swelling.Stroke. 2014;45(4):1222-1238. doi:10.1161/01.str.0000441965.15164.d6
Jha RM, Kochanek PM, Simard JM.Pathophysiology and treatment of cerebral edema in traumatic brain injury.Neuropharmacology. 2019;145(Pt B):230-246. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.004
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