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A new method for localised spinal-cord cooling

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Abstract

Hypothermia reduces ischaemic damage to nervous tissue and decreases cerebral oedema. Selective spinal-cord cooling has therefore been proposed as a means of treatment in spinalcord trauma. A miniature heat exchanger, made of Silastic, has been developed that can rapidly induce a central cord temperature of 17°C and may be left in place for several days without complication.

Sommaire

L'hypothermie a pour effet de réduire aussi bien les dégradations occasionnées au tissu nerveux par l'ischémie que l'incidence d'oedèmes cérébraux. Le refoidissement sélectif de la moelle épinière a donc éte proposé comme moyen de traitement dans les cas de trauma du cordon médullaire. Un échangeur de chaleur miniature en ‘Silastic’ a été mis au point qui peut produire rapidement une température de 17°C au niveau du cordon médullaire et qui peut être laissé en place pendant plusieurs jours sans entraîner de complications.

Zusammenfassung

Unterkühlung verringert eine Ischämieschädigung des Nervengewebes und mindert Hirnödeme. Zur Behandlung von Rückenmarksverletzungen wird daher selektive Kühlung vorgeschlagen. Ein aus Silastic bestehender Miniaturwärmeaustauscher ist entwickelt worden, der die Temperatur im Zentrum des Rückenmarks schnell auf 17°C senkt und mehrere Tage ohne Komplikationen im Körper verbleiben kann.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    C. Romero-Sierra

  2. Control Systems Laboratory, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    A. Sierhuis

  3. Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University and Montreal Neurological Institute, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    R. Hansebout & M. Lewin

Authors
  1. C. Romero-Sierra
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  2. A. Sierhuis
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  3. R. Hansebout
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  4. M. Lewin
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Romero-Sierra, C., Sierhuis, A., Hansebout, R. et al. A new method for localised spinal-cord cooling. Med. & biol. Engng. 12, 188–193 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477154

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477154

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