[Prolonged hypothermia in refractory intracranial hypertension. Report of one case]

Rev Med Chil. 2012 Feb;140(2):219-24. doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872012000200011.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

The use of hypothermia after cardiac arrest caused by ventricular fibrillation is a standard clinical practice, however its use for neuroprotection has been extended to other conditions. We report a 23-year-old male with intracranial hypertension secondary to a parenchymal hematoma associated to acute hydrocephalus. An arterial malformation was found and embolized. Due to persistent intracranial hypertension, moderate hypothermia with a target temperature of 33°C was started. After 12 hours of hypothermia, intracranial pressure was controlled. After 13 days of hypothermia a definitive control of intracranial pressure was achieved. The patient was discharged 40 days after admission, remains with a mild hemiparesia and is reassuming his university studies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications*
  • Hematoma / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia, Induced / methods*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Hypertension / etiology
  • Intracranial Hypertension / therapy*
  • Intracranial Pressure / physiology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult