[Comparative analysis of radiographic data of "structural changes" in the bones of divers and non-divers]

The Authors examine one thousand lone bone X-rays of professional divers and non-diving controls. The goal is to look for a correlation between hyperbaric exposure and bone alteration images type "dense bony islet" and "translucent cystic area" according to McCallum, Walder and Davidson. The results show a statistically non significant difference between divers and controls: Hip: Divers 31%, Controls 30%; Knee: Divers 17%, Controls 23%; Shoulder: Divers 22%, Controls 22.5%. The types of bone structural alterations studied never seemed to originate forms of aseptic bone necrosis but had a tendency to evolve favourably and independently from diving activity. These structural alterations are therefore deemed as non significant with regard to the bone risk of professional diving. The Authors suggest that until the real significance of these bone X-ray images is cleared by further research only the bone structural alteration which are within one centimeter from the articular surface should be considered for possible negative evolution.