II. CEREBRAL EDEMA AND BRAIN SWELLING

A. Vasogenic Cerebral Edema (most common form of edema)

1. Increased permeability of small vessels (breakdown of blood-brain barrier)

2. Escape of proteins, fluids into extracellular space, especially of white matter

B. Cytotoxic Cerebral Edema (cellular brain edema)

1. Increased permeability of cell membranes

2. Excess fluid accumulates intracellularly; may occur with ischemia or with other conditions such as metabolic poisons or water intoxication.

C. Hydrocephalic (Interstitial) Edema

1. Fluid flows from CSF into brain through ventricular lining in cases of hydrocephalus.

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