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Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response
Published on: November 12, 2014
Cerebral Dysfunction of a Diving Fisherman After Prophylactic Recompression Treatment: A Case Report.
Summary
Prophylactic recompression treatment (PRT) can rarely cause cerebral arterial gas embolism (AGE) or decompression sickness (DCS) in divers. Prompt recompression is crucial for recovery, highlighting the importance of vigilance even with empirical treatments.
Area of Science:
- Diving Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Prophylactic recompression treatment (PRT) is an empirical therapy used in China for divers to prevent decompression sickness (DCS).
- PRT aims to eliminate residual nitrogen and microbubbles after repetitive diving or insufficient decompression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of cerebral dysfunction following PRT in a healthy diving fisherman.
- To discuss the potential risks of PRT, including cerebral arterial gas embolism (AGE) and DCS.
Main Methods:
- A case report of a 43-year-old fisherman experiencing neurological symptoms after PRT.
- Clinical evaluation including laboratory tests, cranial CT, and chest CT.
- Follow-up treatment with recompression therapy.
Main Results:
- The fisherman developed symptoms of cerebral dysfunction (dizziness, vomiting, aphasia) six hours post-PRT.
- Elevated serum creatine kinase was noted; chest CT revealed emphysema and pulmonary bullae.
- Full recovery was achieved after a second recompression treatment, suggesting cerebral AGE.
Conclusions:
- While PRT is generally considered safe for healthy divers, rare complications like cerebral AGE or DCS can occur.
- Timely recompression is essential for managing these conditions and typically leads to a good prognosis.
- Differentiating between AGE and DCS is less critical than initiating prompt treatment.
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