Effect of Different Techniques of Cervical Immobilization on Intracranial Pressure in Healthy Volunteers: Observational Study

Saad, Mohamed Bosily; Elbahnasawy, Mohamed Gamal; Abdelsalam, Wafaa; Fawzy, Hatem; Saad, Tarek Mohamed; Nasreddin, Mohamed Ezzat

doi:10.21608/svuijm.2024.334064.2015

Effect of Different Techniques of Cervical Immobilization on Intracranial Pressure in Healthy Volunteers: Observational Study

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

¹ Emergency Medicine and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

² Anesthesia and Surgical ICU Department, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheih University, Kafrelsheih, Egypt.

³ Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/svuijm.2024.334064.2015

Abstract

Background: Cervical immobilization is crucial for preventing further injury in spinal trauma. However, cervical immobilization may increase intracranial pressure (ICP), which results in a reduction in cerebral blood flow and a subsequent decline in neurological function. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement evolved as a non-invasive, reliable surrogate of intracranial pressure.
Objectives: This research aimed to assess the impact of neck collars and headblocks strapped on the backboard as methods of cervical immobilization on ONSD, a surrogate of intracranial pressure, in healthy individuals.
Materials and methods: The prospective comparative study involved 100 healthy volunteers of both sexes who were over eighteen years of age and divided into two groups. Cervical immobilization was done by neck collar in Group A and head blocks strapped on the backboard in Group B. ONSD was measured in both groups at baseline and subsequently at 20, 40, and 60-minute intervals and statistically analyzed.
Results: Baseline ONSD measurement of both eyes was insignificantly different; however, it became significantly higher after 20 min, 40 min, and 60 min compared to baseline in both groups (P<0.05). Notably, ONSD measurements were more elevated at 20, 40, and 60 min in group A compared to group B (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Headblocks strapped on the backboard were superior to the neck collar as evidenced by a lower elevation rate of ONSD, which may reflect a lower increase in ICP.

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