Brain Injury

Case Study

Abstract:  The near drowning of a 3 year old resulted in the child being wheel chair dependent, mental retardation.  At 17 years of age, the patient received 52 HBOT sessions ensuing significant improvement.  After 200 HBOT sessions the subject now walks upstairs with support, speaks English and Spanish.

Neubauer, Richard S.; Gottliev, Sheldon F. Southern Medical Journal, Sept. ’94, Vol. 87 issue 9, p 993-996.

Abstract: Traumatic and vascular brain injuries result in the destruction of neurons and to a varying extent the formation of idling neurons.  With the use of single photo emission computed tomography the presence of idling neurons and potentially recoverable brain tissue. 

Chronic Infections

Liu W, Zhao W, Lu X, Et Al.  “Clinical pathological study of treatment of chronic hepatitis with hyperbaric oxygenation.” Med J (Engl) 2002 Aug; 115(8): pp 1153-7.

Abstract: To detect the feasibility and theoretic basis for treatment with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in chronic hepatitis and to compare the changes in hepatic function, immunity, pathologic morphology, ultrastructure and HBV in hepatic tissues before and after treatment.  Sixty cases of chronic hepatitis were randomly selected and divided into two groups:  the experiment (n=30) and control groups (n=30).  Patients in the experimental group were treated with HBO for 6 courses.  Patients in the control group were treated for 60 days with the usual drugs used in the clinic.  The function and bloodstream graph of liver were examined and liver biopsies were made before and after treatments.

Treatment with HBO for chronic hepatitis was effective and recommendable, but it could not reverse liver fibrosis.  However, it might be able to delay or prevent the liver from fibrosis, so it might be more effective at the early and middle stages of chronic hepatitis.  HBO could not inhibit the HB virus.  So we consider that treatment with HBO should be simultaneous with anti HBV therapy.

Multiple Sclerosis

Jain, K.K. MD. Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine, Third Edition. Chapter 20: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis.  Hogrefe & Huber Publishers: Kirkland, Washington, 1999.  Pp 373-381.

Abstract: “They studied only patients with a low Kurtzke disability score-KDS and matched patients in the experimental and control groups according to age, sex, age at onset of the disease, duration, and type of disease, and disability before randomization.  It was shown that at 2ATA once a day for 90 minutes, 5 days a week to a total of 20 treatments, objective improvement in mobility, fatigue, balance and bladder function occurred in 12 of 17 patients.  Those patients having less severe form of the disease had a more favorable and long lasting response.  In contrast, only 1 out of 20 placebo-treated patients showed a positive change.

The findings of all the long-term studies of established MS patients suggest that regular treatment favorably influences the course of the disease.

This implies that treatment should be instigated as soon as the condition is diagnosed and before irreversible lesions have become established.”

Stroke

Jain, K.K. MD. Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine, Third Edition.  Chapter 17:  Role of HBO in the Management of Stroke.  Hogrefe & Huber Publishers: Kirkland, Washington, 1999. Pp 227-252.

Abstract:  For many stroke patients there is often little or no improvement with conventional medical management and physical therapy.  Therefore, HBO should be started in the acute phase of a stroke as an adjunct to conventional medical management.  Animal studies and uncontrolled human trials have shown the effectiveness and safety of HBO after stroke.

Evaluation of patients during an HBO session has revealed response rates of 100% (improvement of spasticity or motor power or both). Improvement may be initially transient but can be maintained following daily treatments 1.5 ATA for 45 minutes for 6 weeks.

Neubauer, R.A. et al. “HBO and Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Therapy of Stroke.  Does the Ischemic Penumbra Alter the Outcome in Stroke?”  International Symposium:  Neuropsychomotor, Nero-Pharmacological, Psychosocial and Ethical Aspects, Oct. 7-11, 1992

Abstract:  Recovery of stroke is more related to the oxygen content than to blood flow.  SPECT can demonstrate ischemic penumbras.  SPECT were taken before and after treatment.  The treatment protocol was HBO at 1.5 ATA for 60 minutes.

There were 15 post stroke patients.  The time elapsed since the stroke ranged from 6 hours to 15 years.

Significant and marked changes n flow and metabolism were observed in ALL 15 patients.

Reversibility of the Chronic Post Stroke State STROKE, 1976; 7(3): 296-300

Abstract:  40 Stroke patients were observed and treated with HBO therapy:  Twenty of the patients were early post-stroke stage and 20 were chronic. HBO therapy was administered and EEG analysis and neurological assessment taken after the completion of the treatment.  The treatment results were as follows:

27%       considerable/dramatic improvement

53%       moderate improvement

20%       no change

In conclusion it was determined that more than 75% benefited and more than 25% improved close to normal function.