[Plateau wave, unexpected cause of anoxo-ischemic syncope. Reflections on the pathogenesis of the plateau wave apropos of a case]

Neurochirurgie. 1984;30(4):277-81.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The case of a 56 year old female suffering from a carcinomatous meningitis with recurrent attacks of unconciousness is presented. The ischemic nature of the attacks was substantiated through a simultaneous recording of ICP, systemic arterial blood pressure, and EEG. Every syncope was clearly accompanied by 1) a typical ICP plateau-wave, 2) a systemic blood pressure wave of lower amplitude, 3) a considerable correlative diminution of the cerebral perfusion pressure and 4) a slowing down of the EEG. These phenomenons could be provoked by intraventricular injections of a few milliliters of artificial CSF, whereas a ventriculo-peritoneal shunting made them disappeared. The role played by the disturbances of the CSF flow in the production of the plateau waves is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Blood Pressure
  • Brain Ischemia / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia, Brain / physiopathology*
  • Intracranial Pressure
  • Meningitis / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / etiology
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / physiopathology
  • Syncope / etiology
  • Syncope / physiopathology*