Reversible common peroneal nerve palsy as a complication of therapeutic hypothermia using surface cooling device

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy as a result of nonfreezing cold injury by therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is extremely rare. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who suffered from common peroneal nerve palsy caused by inappropriate application of cooling pads for TH after ischemic encephalopathy following hanging injury. When a cooling device is running, cold water rotates through cooling pads just above the skin. Therefore, the patient's skin and superficial nerves, such as the common peroneal nerve, can be damaged by cold water. To prevent this complication, a proper-sized pad and proper application of the cooling pad are crucial.