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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
12:15
Optimized System for Cerebral Perfusion Monitoring in the Rat Stroke Model of Intraluminal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Published on: February 17, 2013
Cerebral perfusion deficits in dysbaric illness.
G H Adkisson1, M A Macleod, M Hodgson
1Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, Hants.
Lancet (London, England)
|July 15, 1989
Summary
Type II decompression sickness (DCS) affects the central nervous system, not just the spinal cord. This study found cerebral perfusion deficits in all severe DCS cases, suggesting widespread brain involvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Diving Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Decompression sickness (DCS) is typically classified into Type I (mild, non-neurological) and Type II (severe, neurological).
- Type II DCS has been primarily considered a spinal cord condition with rare brain involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral perfusion in divers experiencing decompression sickness (DCS) and cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE).
- To re-evaluate the classification and understanding of Type II DCS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 99Tcm-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime injection and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT).
- Assessed cerebral perfusion in 28 divers with confirmed DCS and CAGE incidents.
Main Results:
- Cerebral perfusion deficits were observed in all 23 Type II DCS cases.
- All 4 cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) cases exhibited perfusion deficits.
- No cerebral perfusion deficits were found in the single Type I DCS case.
Conclusions:
- Type II DCS should be recognized as a diffuse, multifocal central nervous system disease.
- Cerebral involvement is common in Type II DCS, challenging previous assumptions.
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