Related Experiment Videos
Anton's syndrome as a presentation of decompression illness
Charles Paul Azzopardi1, Lyubisa Matity1, Stephen Muscat1
1Hyperbaric Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta MSD 2090, charles.a.azzopardi@gov.mt.
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
|March 31, 2017
Summary
A scuba diver experienced Anton's syndrome, a form of cortical blindness with unawareness of vision loss, due to decompression illness. Symptoms resolved after recompression, revealing a patent foramen ovale.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Diving Medicine
Background:
- Anton's syndrome, characterized by visual anosognosia and cortical blindness, is rarely associated with decompression illness (DCI).
- Recreational scuba diving carries inherent risks of DCI, necessitating prompt recognition and management.
Observation:
- A case is presented of a patient with Anton's syndrome following recreational scuba diving.
- The patient exhibited progressive neurological DCI, which was managed with repeated recompression therapy.
Findings:
- The visual anosognosia associated with Anton's syndrome resolved within 48 hours of recompression treatment.
- Subsequent echocardiography identified a persistent (patent) foramen ovale, a potential predisposing factor.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare neurological complication of DCI, emphasizing the importance of considering Anton's syndrome in affected divers.
- The resolution of symptoms post-recompression and the incidental finding of a PFO underscore the complex interplay between diving, neurological events, and cardiac anomalies.