Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may be a sign of a serious or life-threatening medical condition and it may be helpful to augment the fundoscopic exam with ultrasound to evaluate for papilledema which can be from a chronic increase in intracranial pressure.
Intracranial Pressure Evaluation with Ocular Ultrasound
Ultrasound of theĀ optic nerve sheath diameterĀ has proven to be a reliable, non-invasive, and rapid method to estimate ICP measurement. Any elevation in ICP causes distension of the ocular nerve sheath (>5mm) likely within minutes, making it a prime way to measure ICP in emergent situations