Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
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Estimation of intracranial pressure (ICP) may be helpful in the management of neurological critically ill patients. It has been shown that ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a reliable tool for non-invasive estimation of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) at hospital admission or in intensive care. Less is known about the estimation of increased ICP and usefulness of ONSD in the prehospital setting. The aim of this review was to elucidate both prevailing and novel applications of ONSD for neurologists and critical care physicians. ⋯ ONSD is a safe and low-cost bedside tool with the potential of screening patients who need other neuroimaging and those who may need an invasive measurement of ICP.