Acupuncture as complementary therapy for hypoxic encephalopathy: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
In acute carbon monoxide intoxication, more serious neuronal damage may induce hypoxic encephalopathy with variable degrees of brain damage, ranging from confusion to deep coma. We report herein on a patient who developed hypoxic encephalopathy and acute respiratory failure after acute carbon monoxide intoxication. Acupuncture therapy has been applied along with prescription medication to restore consciousness.


METHODS
The patient had a 2-month history of consciousness disturbance and frequent generalised episodic clonic twitching with upward gazing, which was diagnosed as hypoxic encephalopathy.


METHODS
Acupuncture therapy has been applied to restore consciousness with routine treatment and medication prescription. The patient was treated 29 times by abdominal acupuncture in conjunction with scalp, body and foot acupuncture according to the 12 meridians' points as an assistant therapy. After 2 months of acupuncture treatment, the patient regained consciousness; the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) index increased from 7 to 15, before and after acupuncture therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report suggests that there may be a role for complementary treatment with acupuncture in such cases, and it would be more definitive, meaningful and a welcome addition to our database of knowledge if more case studies about the possibility of acupuncture use in these circumstances were done.
School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung City 404, Taiwan, ROC. ssyuan@ms68.hinet.net
Shi-Yuan
SY
Sheu
Chun-Hsu
CH
Yao
Yuan-Tsung
YT
Fu
Wen-Ling
WL
Wang
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016740:Meridians; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy