Upright patient positioning in the management of intracranial hypertension

Utilizing either a subarachnoid screw or an intraventricular cannula, intracranial pressure was continuously monitored in 24 patients with established or potential neurological impairment of various etiologies. Marked diminution in intracranial pressure was observed in the sitting or semisitting position in the 13 patients with documented intracranial hypertension as well as in the 11 in whom intracranial pressure was not elevated. This sustained effect was noted even when superimposed on intensive medical management of intracranial hypertension.