The Nephroprotective Effect of Mannitol in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Cisplatin Therapy.

Introduction: Cisplatin is used as treatment for several different malignancies and a well-known complication is irreversible kidney damage. To protect the kidneys, this treatment is often combined with mannitol infusion to promote osmotic diuresis. Earlier studies investigating the nephroprotective effect of mannitol have shown conflicting results.

Objective: To investigate changes in kidney function in head and neck cancer patients treated with cisplatin with and without additional mannitol infusion.

Methods: A single center, retrospective cohort study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck receiving radiotherapy with cisplatin. Patient data were collected from November 2013 to December 2014.

Results: After exclusion, a total of 78 patients were considered evaluable. They were equally distributed between a mannitol and a non-mannitol group and anthropomorphometrically similar. 51 Cr-EDTA clearance declined in the mannitol group from 99.7 (19.9) to 96.4 (20.8) mL/min and in the non-mannitol group from 102.2 (17.8) to 92.3 (23.1) mL/min.

Conclusions: There was a significantly smaller decrease in 51 Cr-EDTA clearance in the mannitol group indicating a nephroprotective effect of mannitol.