The space is separated into compartments by rigid dural layers. The compliance of both the total space and the subcompartments is limited, thus pressures can increase rapidly as a result of small changes in volumes of contents, and herniation between compartments or through the foramen magnum may result. It is the common endpoint of a wide variety of disorders. Symptoms and signs are non-specific. With the exception of VI nerve palsy, focal neurological signs generally relate to underlying pathology rather than the raised ICP per se .
Management is directed towards the underlying disease.