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Behandlung einer Radikulopathie bei ossärer Metastasierung der Lendenwirbelsäule durch Infrarot-A-Ganzkörperhyperthermie.

Introduction: Cancer metastases can be the reason of neuropathic pain. It can be caused by infiltration and compression of nerves. Cytokines released by tumor cells and the affected nerve structures induce an inflammatory reaction that enhances the neuropathic pain. Case report: We report the case of a 67-year-old female patient. She suffered from a persisting and acutely exacerbated radiculopathy (L5/S1 right) due to metastases of breast cancer (pT1bL0N1R1G2M1/osseous; ER 95%, PR 95%, Her2-new-score 3+) in the lumbar spine. Traditional treatments had failed to yield sufficient therapeutic effects. Methods: We performed 6 sessions of water-filtered infrared-A whole-body hyperthermia using a commercial system (Iratherm 1000; Von Ardenne Institute for Applied Medical Research, Dresden, Germany). The wave-length was 600-1300 nm, the aimed body core temperature was 38.5 degrees C. The intensity of pain was assessed by visual analog scale. Results: Pain intensity (VAS) decreased from 9 (initial) to 3 points after the first 3 treatment sessions. The patient was completely free of pain after 6 sessions. No side-effects were observed. At follow up after 3 and 24 weeks the patient was still free of pain. Conclusion: Infrared-A whole-body hyperthermia might be an effective therapeutic procedure with rare side-effects for tumor-induced neuropathic pain. Its use should be investigated further in controlled clinical trials.

Milde Infrarot-A-Hyperthermie. Auswirkungen von Serienbestrahlungen mit wassergefilterter Infrarotstrahlung auf Gesunde und Kranke mit arterieller Hypertonie bzw. systemischer Sklerodermie.

Short-wave infrared radiation (near infrared, Infrared A, IRA; wavelengths between 760 and 1400 nm) becomes converted into heat just at the level of superficial capillaries, which is then distributed by flowing blood throughout the human body. Hence, it is feasible to induce hyperthermia in a manner that is both smooth and efficient. In case of Mild Infrared A-Hyperthermia rectal temperatures do not exceed 38.5 °C. Because of the rapid rise of core temperature, the functional small blood vessel diameter and muscle clearance enlarge, and function and reactivity of small blood vessels improve. This was confirmed by Fourier analysis of peripheral pulse curves and acral skin rewarming. Following serial infrared irradiations, long-term effects occurred. For example, diastolle blood pressure remained normalised for another 6 weeks after the end of the irradiation serial, and in patients with systemic scleroderma clinical improvement and relative acceleration of acral skin rewarming remained noticeable for several months. Mild infrared A-hyperthermia is an update version of classical heat treatment. Its possible indications range from rheumatic diseases via migraine to vasomotoric impotentia coeundi.

Physikalische Therapie der arteriellen Hypertonie- Eine einmalige milde Infrarot-A-Hyperthermie gestattet Voraussagen hinsichtlich des Besprechens auf weitere Behandlungen.

Hypertensive patients in stages I and II according to WHO definition can be successfully treated by series of irradiation with short-wave infrared (infrared-A). In 5 out of 40 patients, the therapeutic effect was not satisfactory. It was found that only in these patients the diastolic blood pressure reached values of 100 mmHg and more as early as 30 minutes after the first infrared-A irradiation. This, a single infrared-A hyperthermia can be used as a functional test to select hypertensive patients suitable for series of infrared-A irradiation.

Effects of a multiple mild infrared a induced hyperthermia on central and peripheral pulse waves in hypertensive patients.

The paper reports on the effects of multiple whole-body infra-red-A irradiational (IRA) on 13 male patients known to have stage I or stage II essential arterial hypertension (WHO definition). The peripheral blood pressure was decreased significantly by IRA exposures. The lowered diastolic blood pressure lasted into posttreatment time. This effect is regarded as a consequence of an improvement in peripheral haemodynamics. A measure of this improvement is the different shape of the blood pressure pulse waves. Calculation and comparison of the spectral components of the recorded pulse signals show that these components are useful for a prediction of the blood pressure lowering effect.

Wirkung einer einmaligen milden Infrarot-A-Hyperthermie auf Körpertemperatur, Herzfrequenz, Blutdruck und Blutviskosität bei Gesunden und Patienten mit arterieller Hypertonie der Stadien I und II.

Report on mild and single whole body-irradations with near infrared (IRA). The central body temperature went up to 38.5°C in 9 healthy subjects and 9 patients known as having essential arterial hypertension of the stages I or II. In case of hypertensive patients, a single exposure decreased significantly both arterial and venous blood pressure as well as the resulting mean arterial blood pressure. This beneficial effect lasted for at least 24 hours. Beside that, improved peripheral hemodynamics is linked to that blood pressure lowering effect which happens due to dilatation of peripheral blood vessels.

Mild Elevation of Body Temperature Reduces Tumor

Human and rodent solid tumors often exhibit elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). This condition is recognized as a prognostic indicator for reduced responses to therapy and decreased disease-free survival rate. In the present study, we tested whether induction of a thermoregulatory-mediated increase in tissue blood flow, induced by exposure of mice to mild environmental heat stress, could influence IFP and other vascular parameters within tumors. Using several murine tumor models, we found that heating results in a sustained reduction in tumor IFP correlating with increased tumor vascular perfusion (measured by fluorescent imaging of perfused vessels, laser Doppler flowmetry, and MRI) as well as a sustained reduction in tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, when radiation therapy was administered 24 hours postheating, we observed a significant improvement in efficacy that may be a result of the sustained reduction in tumor hypoxia. These data suggest, for the first time, that environmental manipulation of normal vasomotor function is capable of achieving therapeutically beneficial changes in IFP and microvascular function in the tumor microenvironment.

Einfluß einer Serie von Infrarot-Ganzkörperbestrahlungen auf Fließeigenschaften des Blutes und die Hämodynamik.

The reaction of volunteers (normoton and borderline hyperton: p_s= 15.0 +/- 1.8 kPa) on the increase of the body temperature (rectal) up to 38.5°C with respect to hemorheological and hemodynamical parameters was investigated. 11 volunteers were treated with a series of 12 whole body near-infrared irradiation (IR; 700-1400nm). Apparent viscosity of blood, plasma viscosity, and the aggregation kinetics od red blood cells (RBC) were determined. The blood circulation was characterized by means of radionuclide ventriculography (central) and of Xe_133 muscle clearance (peripheral). Viscosities and parameters of RBC aggregation were significantly reduced after the IR series as well as 4 weeks thereafter. The central circulation did not significantly change. The clearance parameter of peripheral circulation was improved similar as the rheological parameters but less pronounced. It is concluded that there is an adaption to heat leading to a better perfusion to the periphery.

Moderate Hyperthermie als Behandlungsmethode mit vielen Indikationen.

The principles and design of equipment for moderate whole-body hyperthermic therapy (up to 39°C) are reported on. Hyperthermy of the patient, who lies in a net, is achieved with the Iratherm 1000 system by means of irradiation from below that is filtered through water and has an energy density factor of 10 W/dm^2. The filtering process reduces the stress level for the skin – the radiation also reaches dermal vessels. The most important indications for such treatment are: systemic sclerodermatitis, degenerative non-articular rheumatism, acute muscle pain, rhinitis, bronchitis, muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis, poor circulation in tissues and organs, therapy-resistant chronic inflammations, chronic back pains, hypertension, activation of immunological system.

Biophysikalische Ergebnisse des klinischen Tests der IRA-Therm-Hyperthermietechnik der 2. Generation.

Results of clinical evaluation of a new whole-body infrared-A irradiation machine are presented. Irradiance is continuously unable between 1.7 and 12 W/dm^2. The 8 volunteers reached central body temperatures of 40°C within 70 minutes and tolerated that treatment well. Whereas irradiance was distributed quite homogenously over the body’s surface, maximal skin temperatures of 45°C situated at the abdomen, at buttocks and the proximal upper legs. On the other hand, ventral thorax skin exhibited minimal temperatures (36.9°C). Relations between central body temperature, skin temperature (infrared camera), irradiance (energy balance), pulse rate, peripheral blood pressure are body weight are depicted. So, the established thermic efficiency was about 10%. The precondition of that was homogenization of irradiation at skin surface. Increase of peripheral systolic blood pressure declined immediately after reduction of applied energy. On the other hand, decrease of diastolic blood pressure lasted into post-treatment time. Speed of increase in body temperature was not or just marginally related to body weight (range 47 to 89 kg).

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