1/4. Delayed onset pulmonary barotrauma or decompression sickness? A case report of decompression-related disorder.A-24-yr-old male professional diver began to complain of substernal pain 3 h after a controlled ascent from a dive of less than 40 ft of sea water (fsw). The diving master who supervised his dive and the physicians who examined him on presentation suspected pulmonary barotrauma rather than decompression sickness (DCS) because he had only descended to a depth of 32 fsw. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) by U.S. Navy treatment Table VI was implemented because of his progressively worsening pain. HBO was apparently effective and a relapse was not seen. The author cannot label his condition based on the conventional classification categories, such as decompression sickness (DCS), barotrauma or even decompression illness. This case report is offered as a topic for consideration in the controversy over decompression-related disorders.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. Differential diagnostic problems of decompression sickness--examples from specialist physicians' practices in diving medicine.It can be expected that the differential diagnosis problem of decompression sickness will increase in the future due to the increasing number of divers. During the last 30 years, 232 divers were treated for decompression sickness (DCS) at the Naval Medical Institute (NMI) in Split, croatia. In 66 cases (28%), physicians at various diving sites reached diagnosis with difficulty, and 86 divers (37%) came directly to the NMI without seeing a physician first. physicians at remote diving locations frequently have only basic knowledge of diving medicine and are often inexperienced. The language barrier was a major obstacle in obtaining a medical history and examination of foreign divers. Consultations at the NMI proved a major contribution to correct diagnosis and treatment. We present six illustrative cases from NMI archives that demonstrate how prejudices, panic, and inexperience could create problems in establishing DCS diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. High-altitude decompression illness: case report and discussion.Decompression illness (DCI) can occur in a variety of contexts, including scuba diving and flight in nonpressurized aircraft. It is characterized by joint pain, neurologic injury, and respiratory or constitutional symptoms. To prepare flight crews for accidental decompression events, the Canadian Armed Forces regularly conducts controlled and supervised depressurization exercises in specialized chambers. We present the cases of 3 Canadian Armed Forces personnel who successfully completed such decompression exercises but experienced DCI after they took a 3-hour commercial flight 6 hours after the completion of training. All 3 patients were treated in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of DCI and the travel implications for military personnel who have undergone such training exercises are discussed. Although DCI is relatively uncommon, physicians may see it and should be aware of its presentation and treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. decompression sickness in a private pilot.Although safe, civil aviation can result in some unique medical problems. Most physicians are not familiar with aviation-related medical problems. One such problem, decompression sickness, is not mentioned in most medical texts, and is not included in most medical school instruction. If not promptly recognized and treated, decompression sickness can result in permanent disability or death. I report a case of altitude-induced decompression sickness after a flight in an unpressurized aircraft.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |