Steroids in the Treatment of Brain Edema

Brain edema accompanies a wide variety of pathologic processes and contributes to the morbidity and mortality of many neurologic diseases. It has a major role in head injury, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and brain tumor. Edema also accompanies cerebral infections, including brain abscess, encephalitis and meningitis, lead encephalopathy, liver failure, hypoxia, hypo-osmolality, the disequilibrium syndromes associated with dialysis and diabetic ketoacidosis, demyelinating diseases, and the various forms of obstructive hydrocephalus. The clinical assessment of brain edema has been greatly facilitated by computed tomography, which allows visualization of the extent of edema with an accuracy not previously possible. Laboratory studies of . . .