Transcranial bioimpedance measurement as a non-invasive estimate of intracranial pressure

Hawthorne, C., Shaw, M., Piper, I., Moss, L. and Kinsella, J. (2018) Transcranial bioimpedance measurement as a non-invasive estimate of intracranial pressure. In: Heldt, T. (ed.) Intracranial Pressure & Neuromonitoring XVI. Series: Acta neurochirurgica supplement (126). Springer, pp. 89-92. ISBN 9783319657974 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-65798-1_19)

Abstract

Objectives: We have previously demonstrated a relationship between transcranial bioimpedance (TCB) measurements and intracranial pressure (ICP) in an animal model of raised ICP. The primary objective of this study was to explore the relationship between non-invasive bioelectrical impedance measurements of the brain and skull and ICP in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Materials and methods: Included patients were adults admitted to the Neurological Intensive Care Unit with TBI and undergoing invasive ICP monitoring as part of their routine clinical care. Multi-frequency TCB measurements were performed hourly through bi-temporal electrodes. The bioimpedance parameters of Zc (impedance at the characteristic frequency) and R0 (resistance to a direct current) were then modelled against ICP using unadjusted and adjusted linear models. Results: One hundred and sixty-eight TCB measurements were available from ten study participants. Using an unadjusted linear modelling approach, there was no significant relationship between measured ICP and Zc or R0. The most significant relationship between ICP and TCB parameters was found by adjusting for multiple patient specific variables and using Zc and R0 normalised per patient (p < 0.0001, r 2 = 0.32). Conclusions: These pilot results confirm some degree of relationship between TCB parameters and invasively measured ICP. The magnitude of this relationship is small and, on the basis of the current study, TCB is unlikely to provide a clinically useful estimate of ICP in patients admitted with TBI.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: Bioimpedance, intracranial pressure, mathematical modelling, neurological intensive care, traumatic brain injury.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kinsella, Professor John and Piper, Dr Ian and Moss, Dr Laura and Hawthorne, Dr Christopher and Shaw, Dr Martin
• Authors: Hawthorne, C., Shaw, M., Piper, I., Moss, L., and Kinsella, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Publisher: Springer
• ISBN: 9783319657974
• Published Online: 01 March 2018