Hyperbaric oxygenation for the treatment of acute cerebral edema.

A multifaceted therapeutic approach to the treatment of traumatic cerebral edema includes methods to reduce intracranial pressure and combat both ischemia and hypoxia. Hyperbaric oxygenation can be effective in reducing intracranial pressure by decreasing cerebral blood flow. Its ability to concomitantly increase cerebral oxygenation suggests its applicability for the treatment of traumatic cerebral edema. Our findings in 50 patients treated at 2 atm absolute support these contentions.