Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with a risk of adverse outcomes such as physical disability, poor quality of life, and death. Sarcopenia has been demonstrated to be one of the strongest predictors of both short- and long-term outcomes following complicated surgical procedures. Sarcopenia screening and sarcopenia diagnosis are highly important in surgical patients. Appropriate customized questionnaires and formulas are used in screening for sarcopenia. The measurable variables for diagnosing sarcopenia are mass, strength, and physical performance and there are measurement techniques that can be used for each of them. Early screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia with the implementation of treatment can effectively slow the progression of sarcopenia, with influence on the better outcome of surgical treatment and recovery of the patient.

Introduction: It is important to measure intracranial pressure because traumatic brain injuries lead to intracranial hypertension and ischaemic brain lesions. The gold standard for measurement of intracranial pressure is invasive methods, but they can lead to complications and are not always available. Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter is a useful noninvasive way to estimate intracranial pressure and it can be done via ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Increased optic nerve sheath diameter on computed tomography can help to diagnose intracranial hypertension and to verify the need for urgent therapy and invasive measurements. Case report: We present 74 years old patient with traumatic brain injury and intracranial bleeding. Optic nerve sheath diameter was 6.81 mm on the left and 6.83 mm on the right side on the initial scan. In the coming days, existing haematomas were enlarged and there were newly formed haematomas, so there were changes in the optic nerve sheath diameter. After the haematoma evacuation, the sheath diameter was 6.56 mm on the left and 6.47 mm on the right side. At the time of the second neurologic deterioration, the sheath diameter was 7.43 mm on the left and 7.25 mm on the right side. On the 25th day, the diameter was 6.72 mm on the left and 6.41 mm on the right side. Conclusion: Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter is a significant additional diagnostic method for the assessment of intracranial hypertension and can help to decide on further treatment.

Introduction. The optic nerve is surrounded by layers of meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, which is why intracranial pressure affects the optic nerve sheath. Noninvasive measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter is simple, accurate, repeatable and with minimal side effects. Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on intracranial pressure. The application of positive end-expiratory pressure plays a significant role in improving gas exchange, but it leads to an increase in intrathoracic and central venous pressure, cerebral blood volume, reduces arterial and cerebral perfusion pressure and thus futher increases intracranial pressure. The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure depends on basal intracranial pressure and respiratory system compliance. Effects of carbon dioxide on intracranial pressure. Hypercapnia leads to cerebral vasodilatation and increases cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure. Hypocapnia reduces intracranial pressure, but its prolonged effect may lead to cerebral ischemia. Effects of body position on intracranial pressure. Body position affects intracranial pressure, primarily by affecting cerebral venous drainage. Conclusion. Body position, application of positive end-expiratory pressure, and changes in carbon dioxide can affect intracranial pressure, which is why its monitoring is of importance. Numerous studies show that their effects on intracranial pressure can be easily monitored by ultrasound assessment of optic nerve sheath diameter.