The Effect of Mannitol on Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow

Mannitol has been shown to be effective in reducing raised intracranial pressure when used in a single large dose [1]. Its use in the control of raised intracranial pressure over longer periods of time, particularly in patients with diffuse brain damage is, however, less well founded and here other effects, for example on cerebral blood flow, may be of importance. This paper briefly reports the results of a clinical study of the effect of small serial doses of Mannitol on intracranial pressure and of an experimental study of the effect of Mannitol on cerebral blood flow.