Treatment:

Brain herniation is a medical emergency. The goal of treatment is to save the patient's life.

To help reverse or prevent a brain herniation, the medical team will treat increased swelling and pressure in the brain. Treatment may involve:

• Placing a drain into the brain to help remove fluid
• Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, especially if there is a brain tumor, to reduce swelling
• Medications that remove fluid from the body, such as mannitol or other diuretics, which reduce pressure inside the skull
• Placing a tube in the airway (endotracheal intubation) and increasing the breathing rate to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood
• Removing blood or blood clots if they are raising pressure inside the skull and causing herniation

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook varies and depends on where in the brain the herniation occurrs. Without treatment, death is likely.

A brain herniation often causes a massive stroke. There can be damage to parts of the brain that control breathing and blood flow. This can rapidly lead to death or brain death.

Complications:

• Brain death
• Permanent and significant neurologic problems

Calling your health care provider:

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or take the patient to a hospital emergency room if he or she develops decreased alertness or other symptoms, especially if there has been a head injury or if the person has a brain tumor or blood vessel problem.