Oral glycerol for the treatment of traumatic intracranial hypertension.

Abstract

Hyperosmolar agents are a primary therapeutic modality employed in the treatment of traumatic intracranial hypertension. Profound hyperosmolarity accompanied by systemic dehydration is a potentially serious problem when these drugs are used repeatedly for control of intracranial pressure. Because glycerol, a water-soluble alcohol, is metabolized in the liver, its dehydrating capacity may be reduced in comparison to other agents. A series of 15 patients were treated with oral glycerol (0.5 to 1.0 gm/kg) with only minor changes in serum electrolytes, glucose, and urea nitrogen. Serum osmolarity rose from a baseline of 305 mOsm/liter to 355 mOsm/liter after 10 days of therapy. Glycerol was found to be effective and safe when employed in this protocol and proved to be a valuable adjunct to the standard methods available for control of intracranial hypertension.

• Authors: S L Wald, R L McLaurin
• Journal: Journal of neurosurgery (J Neurosurg) Vol. 56 Issue 3 Pg. 323-31 (Mar 1982) ISSN: 0022-3085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7057229 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Electrolytes
• Glycerol

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Craniocerebral Trauma (blood, complications)
• Electrolytes (blood)
• Female
• Glycerol (administration & dosage, adverse effects, blood, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Intracranial Pressure (drug effects)
• Male
• Pseudotumor Cerebri (drug therapy, etiology)
• Time Factors