The on-site differential diagnosis of decompression sickness from endogenous cerebral ischaemia in an elderly Ama diver using ultrasound

Commercial or occupational breath-hold (BH) harvest divers along the coast and islands of Japan are collectively called Ama divers. Repetitive BH diving by Ama divers may place them at risk of developing neurological decompression sickness (DCS). We report a 74-year-old Ama diver who demonstrated right hemiparesis during an ascent after free diving at a depth of 5 metres' sea water. This report suggests the usefulness of on-site ultrasound for making a differential diagnosis of DCS from endogenous cerebral ischaemia. Further clinical studies of this management approach are warranted.