Yaling Liu1,2. 1. Department of Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 2. Corresponding author: Dr Yaling Liu, Department of Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.119 Nansihuanxilu Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, China, 100070, liuylmerry@sohu.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acute brain herniation is a life-threatening neurological condition that occasionally develops due to severe complications following cerebral aneurysm clipping. Strategies for managing acute brain herniation have not improved substantially during the past decade. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may alleviate harmful effects of cerebral hypoxia, which is one of the most important pathophysiological features of acute brain herniation and, therefore, may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for acute brain herniation. A case treated with adjuvant HBOT is reported. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old asymptomatic man presented with a recurring left middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm with previous stent-assisted embolisation. After craniotomy for surgical clipping of the aneurysm, disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia occurred. Computed tomography (CT) images suggested simultaneous cerebral ischaemia and intracranial haemorrhage. Pharmacologic treatment resulted in no improvement. A CT scan acquired five days after surgery showed uncal and falcine herniation. HBOT was administered five days after surgery, and the patient's condition dramatically improved. He became conscious, and his hemiplegia improved following seven sessions of HBOT. Simultaneously, CT images showed regression of the acute brain herniation. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had recovered completely at one year post-treatment. HBOT may be effective in the treatment of acute brain herniation following cerebral aneurysm clipping. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
INTRODUCTION: Acute brain herniation is a life-threatening neurological condition that occasionally develops due to severe complications following cerebral aneurysm clipping. Strategies for managing acute brain herniation have not improved substantially during the past decade. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may alleviate harmful effects of cerebral hypoxia, which is one of the most important pathophysiological features of acute brain herniation and, therefore, may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for acute brain herniation. A case treated with adjuvant HBOT is reported. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old asymptomatic man presented with a recurring left middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm with previous stent-assisted embolisation. After craniotomy for surgical clipping of the aneurysm, disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia occurred. Computed tomography (CT) images suggested simultaneous cerebral ischaemia and intracranial haemorrhage. Pharmacologic treatment resulted in no improvement. A CT scan acquired five days after surgery showed uncal and falcine herniation. HBOT was administered five days after surgery, and the patient's condition dramatically improved. He became conscious, and his hemiplegia improved following seven sessions of HBOT. Simultaneously, CT images showed regression of the acute brain herniation. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had recovered completely at one year post-treatment. HBOT may be effective in the treatment of acute brain herniation following cerebral aneurysm clipping. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
Entities:
Keywords:
Brain injury; Cerebral ischaemia; Hyperbaric medicine; Intracranial haemorrhage; Surgery