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(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 06, 2011 ) PHILADELPHIA, PA - A recent study investigated whether or not hypothermia could act as a cooling agent to protect neurons in the case of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the results of the study have produced null results, expect perhaps in cases of surgical removal of hematomas. A hematoma is a pocket or localized collection of blood usually in liquid form within some tissue. Common causes are sports-related injuries of muscles.
There were 97 patients in the study and the study was randomized, meaning that participants were chosen at random. Fifty-two Fifty-two of the patients were put into the hypothermia group while the rest were put into the control group. According to Guy Clifton, MD, from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and colleagues, on average, the hypothermia group was cooled to 36 to 33 degrees Celsius between 2.6 and 4.4 hours. Twelve patients in the hypothermia group died compared to eight in the non-hypothermia group.
According to Clifton and colleagues, the study had to be terminated early because of lack of funding. Additionally, the low number of patients means that the results could be simply results of chance.
However, many scientists outside of the trail suggest that this trail is not the end of investigations into the relationship between hypothermia and brain injury. Rather, the results suggest future studies should be performed, but they should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach that this study took, says Andrew Mass, MD, of University Hospital Antwerp in Edegem, Belgium and Nino Stocchetti, MD, of the Ospedate Maggiore Policlinco in Milan, Italy.
Damage to brain can be caused by several incidences such as gun-shots, falls, automobile accidents, and assaults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are currently 5.3 million Americans who suffer from a TBI. Over 1.4 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury every year and of those, 50,000 die and over 200,000 need hospitalization or traumatic brain injury treatment. Many experience altered or loss of functionality as well.
There are several steps involved in traumatic brain injury treatment. The possible use of inducing hypothermia may be performed during the initial stages when medical professionals are trying to stabilize the patient. However, as this study found, there is little evidence that shows hypothermia to be an effective treatment option.
LegalView, a leading online legal resource, provides information on brain injury treatment, filing a potential brain injury law suit, and TBI laws for individuals and their families. LegalView is also committed to helping those who have suffered a TBI understand their rights. Please visit LegalView for more information at www.legalview.info.
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