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Related Concept Videos

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III01:30

Acute Respiratory Failure-III

Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...

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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Spinal Hernia Repair and Cauda Equina Repositioning After Lumbar Decompression under Three-Dimensional Microscopy: A Case Report and Literature Review
04:33

Spinal Hernia Repair and Cauda Equina Repositioning After Lumbar Decompression under Three-Dimensional Microscopy: A Case Report and Literature Review

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Severe neurological decompression sickness in a U-2 pilot.

Sean L Jersey1, Robert T Baril, Richmond D McCarty

  • 199th Reconnaissance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, CA 95903, USA. sean.jersey@beale.af.mil

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Severe neurological decompression sickness (DCS) is rare in U-2 pilots. This case highlights permanent cognitive deficits and brain lesions from altitude DCS, a threat to air and space operations.

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Spinal Hernia Repair and Cauda Equina Repositioning After Lumbar Decompression under Three-Dimensional Microscopy: A Case Report and Literature Review
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Area of Science:

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Diving Medicine

Background:

  • Severe neurological decompression sickness (DCS) is infrequently reported in high-altitude aviators, such as U-2 pilots.
  • Despite operating at extreme altitudes, U-2 pilots have historically shown low incidence of severe DCS in-flight.

Observation:

  • A near-fatal case of neurological DCS occurred in a U-2 pilot during a combat mission.
  • The pilot sustained permanent cognitive deficits.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging revealed focal brain lesions correlating with the deficits.

Findings:

  • This case presents the first radiological evidence of brain injury from altitude-induced DCS.
  • Objective and clinical findings in the aviator resemble those in divers with central nervous system DCS and traumatic brain injury victims.

Implications:

  • Altitude-induced DCS can cause significant, permanent neurological injury.
  • Decompression sickness remains a critical risk for current and future military air and space operations.
  • Further research into the neurobiological effects of altitude DCS is warranted.