Decompression sickness (DCS)
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Decompression sickness (DCS). Spinal DCS (SDCS) usually occurs at the thoracic level. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Pathophysiology
- This is caused by nitrogen bubbles in tissues or blood embolization
- Spinal DCS (SDCS) usually occurs at the thoracic level
Classification
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Trigger activities and situations
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Risk factors
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Neurological features: spinal cord injury
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Systemic features
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Differential diagnosis
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Treatment
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References
- Ullah S, Qureshi AZ, Kedowah K, AlHargan A, Niaz A. Rehabilitation of a patient with spinal cord decompression sickness: First case report from Saudi Arabia. Clin Case Rep 2019; 7:2231-2234.
- Moon RE, Mitchell S. Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness: current recommendations. Undersea Hyperb Med 2019; 46:685-693.
- Liow MH, Chong SJ, Kang WL. A tale of three divers: recompression therapy for divers with severe Type II decompression sickness with neurological deficits. Singapore Med J 2009; 50:e173-e175.
- Kirby JP. The diagnosis of decompression sickness in sport divers. Mo Med 2019; 116:195-197.
- Gempp E, Blatteau JE, Stephant E, Louge P. Relation between right-to-left shunts and spinal cord decompression sickness in divers. Int J Sports Med 2009; 30:150-153.
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