[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy : Selected indications in the discipline of otorhinolaryngology]

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) represents the controlled exposure to positive pressure with simultaneous inhalation of pure oxygen. It is considered to be an effective treatment option for diseases with restricted blood flow as oxygen not only binds chemically to hemoglobin but also physically dissolves in blood plasma. With the help of a hyperbaric chamber the ambient pressure of a patient can be modified and the physiological characteristics in positive pressure can be medically used. The indications relevant to otorhinolaryngology are necrotizing otitis externa and skull base osteomyelitis, other forms of osteomyelitis, gangrene, wound healing disorders and sudden loss of hearing. When choosing a treatment, not only the availability and costs of HBO treatment play a role but also the patient's tolerance of overpressure. The risks of treatment, e.g., due to oxygen toxicity or barotrauma of the middle ear or the paranasal sinuses, must be weighed up against the potential benefits.