MR imaging of subclinical cerebral decompression sickness. A case report

Acta Radiol. 2003 Jan;44(1):108-10. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0455.2003.00013.x.

Abstract

Diving accidents related to barotrauma constitute a unique subset of ischemic insults to the central nervous system. Victims may demonstrate components of arterial gas embolism, which has a propensity for cerebral involvement, and/or decompression sickness, with primarily spinal cord involvement. Decompression sickness-related radiology literature is very limited. We present our MR findings including FLAIR images in a decompression sickness patient with atypical presentation and review the related literature. We believe MR can be useful in follow-up studies and in early diagnosis of decompression sickness when symptoms do not fit the classic picture or loss of consciousness in surfacing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology*
  • Decompression Sickness / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged