Brain edema often develops as a part of many diseases of the central nervous system. Generalized edema is a process that vitally endangers patient due to increased intracranial pressure. Conventional treatment of brain edema and increased intracranial pressure includes the usage of steroids, osmotic diuretics, by induction of barbiturate coma and by drainage of brain chambers.
HBOT lessens brain edema by lessening blood flow during vasoconstriction, with preservation of brain oxygenation, compensates the effect of ischemia and hypoxia caused by brain edema and breaks the vicious circle of events such as hypoxia/edema and further brain tissue deterioration.
