Hypertonic packs to reverse blindness caused by facial lymphoedema in the setting of head and neck cancer - A case report.

Gurgenci, T; Cree, R; Jessop, M; Lomas, J; Good, P

Hypertonic packs to reverse blindness caused by facial lymphoedema in the setting of head and neck cancer - A case report.

Gurgenci, T Cree, R Jessop, M Lomas, J Good, P

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Publisher:: SAGE Publications
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Palliat Med, 2022, 36, (3), pp. 555-559
Issue Date:: 2022-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gurgenci, T
dc.contributor.author	Cree, R
dc.contributor.author	Jessop, M
dc.contributor.author	Lomas, J
dc.contributor.author	Good, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-0375
dc.date.accessioned	2023-05-30T02:58:36Z
dc.date.available	2023-05-30T02:58:36Z
dc.date.issued	2022-03
dc.identifier.citation	Palliat Med, 2022, 36, (3), pp. 555-559
dc.identifier.issn	0269-2163
dc.identifier.issn	1477-030X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/170546
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: Severe, cancer-related facial oedema can impair vision. It can result from lymphatic and/or venous obstruction due to disease and/or treatment related fibrosis. There is very limited data on the use of directly applied hypertonic packs for the relief of periorbital oedema. CASE: A 63 year old man with recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma developed functional blindness secondary to periorbital oedema in the setting of severe facial swelling. This was refractory to maximal facial lymphatic massage available in the community setting. POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION: Management dilemmas included what non-medical interventions may relieve his periorbital oedema and thereby restore his vision outside of daily lymphatic massage from a qualified physiotherapist. FORMULATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN: The patient agreed to an initial dry hypertonic pack with a great functional improvement of his vision. He was taught how to do this so that he could repeat ad libitum. OUTCOME: The patient had previously expressed that his most distressing thought was the prospect of becoming functionally blind prior to dying. The provision of an easy additional therapy to relieve his visual obstruction provided him with much comfort. He passed away peacefully a few weeks later. LESSONS: The case demonstrates that application of a dry hypertonic pack can relieve periorbital oedema in the setting of facial oedema in cases which are refractory to the combination of self-massage, cold-compress application, and daily lymphatic massage by a certified physiotherapist. RESEARCH AVENUES: A case series to define incidence of adverse effects and duration of treatment effectiveness.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	SAGE Publications
dc.relation.ispartof	Palliat Med
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1177/02692163211069768
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Gerontology
dc.subject.mesh	Blindness
dc.subject.mesh	Head and Neck Neoplasms
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Lymphedema
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Massage
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Head and Neck Neoplasms
dc.subject.mesh	Blindness
dc.subject.mesh	Lymphedema
dc.subject.mesh	Massage
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Blindness
dc.subject.mesh	Head and Neck Neoplasms
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Lymphedema
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Massage
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.title	Hypertonic packs to reverse blindness caused by facial lymphoedema in the setting of head and neck cancer - A case report.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	36
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-05-30T02:58:34Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	36
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Severe, cancer-related facial oedema can impair vision. It can result from lymphatic and/or venous obstruction due to disease and/or treatment related fibrosis. There is very limited data on the use of directly applied hypertonic packs for the relief of periorbital oedema. CASE: A 63 year old man with recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma developed functional blindness secondary to periorbital oedema in the setting of severe facial swelling. This was refractory to maximal facial lymphatic massage available in the community setting. POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION: Management dilemmas included what non-medical interventions may relieve his periorbital oedema and thereby restore his vision outside of daily lymphatic massage from a qualified physiotherapist. FORMULATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN: The patient agreed to an initial dry hypertonic pack with a great functional improvement of his vision. He was taught how to do this so that he could repeat ad libitum. OUTCOME: The patient had previously expressed that his most distressing thought was the prospect of becoming functionally blind prior to dying. The provision of an easy additional therapy to relieve his visual obstruction provided him with much comfort. He passed away peacefully a few weeks later. LESSONS: The case demonstrates that application of a dry hypertonic pack can relieve periorbital oedema in the setting of facial oedema in cases which are refractory to the combination of self-massage, cold-compress application, and daily lymphatic massage by a certified physiotherapist. RESEARCH AVENUES: A case series to define incidence of adverse effects and duration of treatment effectiveness.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/170546