title: Brain ischemia and hypometabolism treated by ozone therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) and low-perfusion brain syndromes are mediated by ischemia and hypometabolism and have limited treatment options. Ozone therapy as treatment in vascular diseases has been described, but the effects on brain tissue have not been well documented.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 75-year-old patient with vascular risk factors and meningioma who was treated with stereotactic radiosurgery. 14 months later the patient presented with progressive clinical impairment despite the use of acetylsalicylic acid and corticosteroids. Clinical and imaging evaluations before/after ozone therapy were done by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET); performance status assessment was done using Barthel Index and World Health Organization/Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Scale (WHO/ECOG Scale). Ozone therapy was performed by autohemotransfusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basal images showed brain areas with ischemia and hypometabolism compatible with ischemic processes and/or RBI. There were no changes in MRI or CT scan images following ozone therapy. However, improvements in brain perfusion and metabolism were demonstrable with SPECT and PET; they correlated with clinical development and performance status scales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report supports our previous works about the effect of ozone therapy in cerebral blood flow, and it suggests the use of ozone therapy in ischemic and hypometabolic brain syndromes such as stroke or RBI.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Chronic Pain Unit and Research Unit, Dr. Negrin University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain. bernardinoclavo@terra.es
authors: Bernardino
authors: B
authors: Clavo
authors: Gerardo
authors: G
authors: Suarez
authors: Yolanda
authors: Y
authors: Aguilar
authors: Dominga
authors: D
authors: Gutierrez
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Ponce
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Cubero
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Robaina
authors: Jose L
authors: JL
authors: Carreras
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010126:Ozone