Cerebral edema

Excessive fluid accumulation in brain tissue. In brain tumors and perioperative neurosurgical settings, glucocorticoids – primarily dexamethasone – are the standard of care.

ICD-10 G93.61 drug

Also known as: Brain edema, Peritumoral edema

Drugs used for this condition

ADexamethasoneFirst line · GlucocorticoidsFirst-line for peritumoral cerebral edema and perioperative management in neurosurgery. Loading dose 10 mg IV, then 4 mg every 6 hours. Reduces vascular permeability and vasogenic edema. Not effective for cytotoxic edema – for example, in ischemic stroke.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit