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Cerebro-spinal decompression sickness: report of two cases
S Jallul1, A Osman, W El-Masry
1Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic & District Hospital NHS Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK.
Spinal Cord
|March 29, 2006
Summary
Two divers experienced severe neurological issues after deep diving, indicating cerebro-spinal decompression sickness (DCS). This highlights potential risks even with standard safety protocols and raises questions about steroid use in treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Diving Medicine
Background:
- Deep diving carries inherent risks, including decompression sickness (DCS).
- Cerebro-spinal DCS can manifest with severe neurological deficits.
- Standard diving protocols may not always prevent DCS.
Observation:
- Two case reports detail unusual instances of cerebro-spinal DCS following deep dives.
- Patients presented with encephalopathy, indicating bilateral cerebral dysfunction.
- Treatment modalities varied, including US Navy Table 6 and Comex 30, with differing steroid use.
Findings:
- Both patients developed cerebro-spinal dysfunction despite adherence to diving procedures.
- Initial MRIs showed no abnormalities, but later scans revealed brain and spinal cord signal changes.
- Steroid use in DCS treatment remains controversial and requires further investigation.
Implications:
- This study underscores the potential for DCS even in dives conducted under established guidelines.
- The findings suggest a need for continued research into optimal treatment strategies for cerebro-spinal DCS.
- Further investigation into the efficacy and risks of steroid use in managing DCS is warranted.