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Spinal decompression sickness: mechanical studies and a model

B A Hills, P B James

    Undersea Biomedical Research
    |September 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Spinal cord injury from decompression sickness may occur when gas bubbles form, exceeding blood perfusion pressure. This mechanical model explains symptoms and rapid recovery with recompression.

    Area of Science:

    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Neuroscience
    • Physiology

    Background:

    • Decompression sickness (DCS) can cause spinal cord injury.
    • The exact mechanism of DCS-induced spinal cord injury remains incompletely understood.
    • Existing models often struggle to explain rapid symptom reversal upon recompression.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the mechanical factors contributing to spinal cord injury during decompression.
    • To propose a mechanical model for spinal DCS that aligns with observed pathology and symptoms.
    • To explain the rapid reversibility of symptoms with recompression.

    Main Methods:

    • Conducted six experimental investigations on the mechanical properties of the spinal cord.
    • Assessed the resistance of spinal cord tissues to gas pocket formation and dissipation.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Measured back pressure generated by gas pockets relative to blood perfusion pressure.

    • Main Results:

    • Spinal cord tissues exhibit significant resistance to gas pocket dissipation.
    • Generated back pressure from gas pockets frequently exceeded blood perfusion pressure, especially in watershed zones.
    • A mechanical model based on vascular "waterfall" principles was developed.

    Conclusions:

    • Autochthonous gas formation in the spinal cord can create sufficient pressure to occlude blood flow.
    • This pressure-induced occlusion provides a plausible explanation for spinal DCS pathology and symptomatology.
    • The proposed model effectively explains the rapid reversibility of symptoms with recompression, challenging embolic theories.