Monro-Kellie hypothesis

Definition

• Pressure-volume relationship between ICP, volume of CSF, blood, and brain tissue, and cerebral perfusion pressure
• Fixed cranial vault with three compartments
  • Brain parenchyma
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
  • Vasculature
    • Venous
    • Arterial
• Compensation between the compartments can occur, up to a point
  • Autoregulation of blood vessel constriction/dilatation
  • Ventricles, which can compress the brain parenchyma