Gut
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Cerebral oedema is the commonest immediate cause of death in fulminant hepatic failure and an investigation was carried out to determine the value of monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) and to examine the effects of ICP of dexamethasone therapy and mannitol administration. ICP values in 10 patients at the time of insertion of a subdural pressure transducer (grade IV encephalopathy) averaged 15.5 +/- SD 14.8 mmHg. ⋯ Mannitol consistently reversed or arrested ICP rises when pressure was < 60 mmHg. ICP monitoring provides additional information in the managment of patients and is essential if mannitol therapy is to be used.