Decompression Sickness with Simultaneous Cranial and Spinal Involvement: A Case Report
Yaprak Özüm Ünsal Bilgin
, Aslı Köşkderelioğlu, Rifat Reha Bilgin
University of Health Sciences Turkey, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Neurology, Izmir, Turkey
Keywords: Decompression sickness, stroke, embolism
Abstract
Decompression sickness (DCS) causes venous and arterial embolization, resulting from decreased nitrogen solubility in the blood and tissues due to the rapid drop in external pressure, when rising to the surface after deep underwater dives. Neurological involvement is frequently seen in the medulla spinalis, but there may also be cranial involvement. A 36-year-old male patient, working as a professional diver, was brought to the emergency department with confusion, cerebellar syndrome findings, and paraplegia, soon after consecutive deep dives. Radiological examinations showed involvement of the bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, along with the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. This patient with medulla spinalis and cranial involvement of DCS, observed simultaneously, was presented with follow-up clinical and radiological findings.
Patient consent was obtained.
Externally peer-reviewed.
Surgical and Medical Practices: Y.Ö.Ü.B., Concept: A.K., Design: R.R.B., Data Collection or Processing: Y.Ö.Ü.B., Analysis or Interpretation: R.R.B., Literature Search: A.K., Writing: Y.Ö.Ü.B.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The authors declared that this study received no financial support.