Cascos fríos para la prevención de alopecia inducida por quimioterápicos / Cold caps for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Uno de los efectos adversos que generan mayor impacto psicosocial en los pacientes que se someten a quimioterapia es la pérdida de cabello. El uso de los cascos fríos podría representar una alternativa para prevenir la alopecia. Estos dispositivos producen vasoconstricción en los vasos sanguíneos del cuero cabelludo provocando que los quimioterápicos lleguen en menores concentraciones a los folículos pilosos, y por consiguiente, evitando que los citotóxicos alcancen el metabolismo de las células foliculares. Se propone que este proceso permita prevenir la alopecia, aunque existe una preocupación que es la posibilidad de metástasis en cuero cabelludo si la quimioterapia no llega a este tejido. Partiendo de la consulta de una paciente con diagnóstico reciente de cáncer de mama, surge el interrogante si en pacientes en tratamiento con quimioterapia el uso de cascos fríos en comparación con su no utilización, disminuye la caída del cabello y si aumenta el riesgo de metástasis en cuero cabelludo. Luego de realizar una búsqueda, se analizaron los resultados de tres artículos pertinentes. Se concluye que el uso de cascos fríos en pacientes que reciben quimioterapia representaría una opción válida para prevenir la alopecia sin indicios de problemas de seguridad y se realiza una reseña acerca de la disponibilidad de los cascos fríos en Argentina. (AU)

One of the adverse effects that generate greater psychosocial impact in patients undergoing chemotherapy is hair loss. The use of cold caps could represent an alternative to prevent alopecia. These devices produce vasoconstriction in the blood vessels of the scalp, causing chemotherapeutic agents to reach the hair follicles in lower concentrations, and there forepreventing toxins from being metabolized by the follicular cells. Thus, alopecia could be prevented but, there is a concern that is the possibility of metastasis to the scalp if the therapy does not reach this tissue. Based on a consultation of a patient recently diagnosed with breast cancer, the question arises whether in patients undergoing chemotherapy the useof cold caps compared to their non-use reduces hair loss and whether it in creases the risk of metastasis to the scalp. After performing a search, the results of three relevant articles were analyzed. It is concluded that the use of cold helmets in patients receiving chemotherapy would represent a valid option to prevent alopecia without indications of safety problems. Finally, a review is made about the availability of scalp-cooling devices in Argentina.

Hipotermia en el tratamiento del traumatismo de cráneo grave. Caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Hypothermia in the treatment of skull trauma serious. Clinical case and review of literature

El tratamiento de la hipotermia comenzó hace más de cuatro décadas, pero en los últimos años, su uso cobró más relevancia, por lo que se realizaron múltiples estudios. Lamentablemente, los resultados son controvertidos en el tratamiento de la hipertensión intracraneal secundaria al trauma. Presentamos a un paciente con traumatismo de cráneo grave e hipertensión intracraneal resistente, en el que se utilizó la hipotermia controlada, con buena respuesta.(AU)

Treatment of hypothermia started more than four decades ago. But in recent years its use became more relevant, and multiple studies were performed. Results are controversial in the treatment of intracranial hypertension in trauma. We present a patient with severe cranial trauma and refractory intracranial hypertension, treated with controlled hypothermia, with a good response.(AU)

Regional cooling for reducing brain temperature and intracranial pressure / Resfriamento cerebral regional para redução da temperatura e pressão intracraniana

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of regional cooling for reducing brain temperature (BrTe) and intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients where conventional clinical treatment has failed. METHOD: Regional cooling was carried out using ice bags covering the area of the craniectomy (regional method) in 23 patients. The BrTe and ICP were determined using a fiber optic sensor. Thirteen patients (56.52 percent) were female. The ages ranged from 16 to 83 years (mean of 48.9). The mean APACHE II score was 25 points (11-35). The patients were submitted, on mean, to 61.7 hours (20-96) of regional cooling. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in mean BrTe (p<0.0001-from 37.1ºC to 35.2ºC) and mean ICP (p=0.0001-from 28 mmHg to 13 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mild brain hypothermia induced by regional cooling was effective in the control of ICP in patients who had previously undergone decompressive craniectomy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia do resfriamento regional na redução da temperatura cerebral (TeCe) e pressão intracraniana (PIC) após falha das medidas clínicas convencionais de tratamento. MÉTODO: O resfriamento cerebral foi realizado com bolsas com gelo, colocadas sobre a área de craniectomia (método regional) em 23 doentes. A TeCe e PIC foram verificadas com sensor de fibra óptica. Treze (56,52 por cento) eram do sexo feminino. A idade variou de 16 a 83 anos (média 48,96). A pontuação média no índice APACHE II foi 25 pontos (11-35). Os doentes foram submetidos, em média, a 61,7 horas (20-96) de resfriamento regional. RESULTADOS: Houve uma redução significativa da TeCe média (p<0,0001-de 37,1ºC para 35,2ºC) e da PIC média (p=0,0001-de 28 mmHg para 13 mmHg). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que o resfriamento regional foi eficaz no controle da PIC nos doentes submetidos, previamente, a craniectomia descompressiva.