High-dose dexamethasone therapy in head injury: a patient group that may benefit from therapy.

Three patients with head injuries and focal areas of low density on CT who deteriorated progressively with uncontrollable rising intracranial pressure (ICP) are described. High-dose dexamethasone therapy was followed by a substantial decrease in ICP during the following 24 h. Features that the patients had in common are a young age group, an initial GCS of 10 or more and an elevation of ICP 2 days or longer after admission.