Intrakraniális

Intrakraniális is an adjective in Hungarian meaning inside the skull. It is used in medical contexts to describe structures, processes, or pathologies within the cranial cavity, as opposed to extracranialis, which occur outside the skull. The intracranial space contains brain tissue (parenchyma), cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system and subarachnoid spaces, and intracranial blood vessels. The skull, meninges, and CSF together maintain intracranial volume and pressure.

Intracranial pathologies include raised intracranial pressure, intracranial hemorrhages (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, intraparenchymal), brain tumors, infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, hydrocephalus, and vascular malformations. Traumatic brain injury is a common cause of intracranial injury. Many conditions require urgent imaging and monitoring.

Diagnosis frequently relies on neuroimaging, especially computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In critical care, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring may be used to guide therapy. Lumbar puncture can be informative in certain infectious or inflammatory conditions, but is avoided if elevated ICP is suspected.

Treatment aims to preserve brain function and control intracranial pressure. Approaches include medical management (head elevation, careful fluid management, sedation, osmotic therapy) and surgical interventions (evacuation of hematomas, decompressive craniectomy, tumor resection, relief of hydrocephalus, treatment of vascular lesions).

Etymology: intrakraniális derives from Latin intra- “inside” and cranium “skull.” The term is used across neurology, neurosurgery, and radiology to distinguish processes within the skull from those outside it.