Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that is freely filtered by the glomerulus but not reabsorbed by renal tubules. It works by increasing the osmolarity of renal tubular fluid and drawing fluid from intracellular to extracellular spaces. Main uses include prophylaxis of acute renal failure, treatment of acute oliguria and increased intracranial pressure. While it reduces ICP, mannitol provides limited benefit for oxygenation compared to hypertonic saline and risks cardiac failure and electrolyte imbalance with higher doses.