Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after severe traumatic brain injury: a report of 6 cases

Li-Quan Lv; Li-Jun Hou; Ming-Kun Yu; Xue-Hua Ding; Xiang-Qian Qi; Yi-Cheng Lu

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2011.01.014

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after severe traumatic brain injury: a report of 6 cases

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 Sep;92(9):1515-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.01.014. Epub 2011 May 26.

Authors

Li-Quan Lv¹, Li-Jun Hou, Ming-Kun Yu, Xue-Hua Ding, Xiang-Qian Qi, Yi-Cheng Lu

Affiliation

¹ Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 21620375
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.01.014

Abstract

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) after severe brain injury is detrimental to the recovery of patients. Pharmacologic management of PSH is difficult and efficacy is unpredictable or incomplete. This report presents 6 cases of PSH after extremely severe traumatic brain injury in which hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) controlled paroxysmal autonomic changes and posturing in the early subacute phase after limited success with conventional medication regimens. Thus, HBOT may present an option for the management of PSH in addition to pharmacologic therapy. Potential mechanisms for these effects are discussed.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
Brain Injuries / complications*
Child
Female
Humans
Hyperbaric Oxygenation / methods*
Male