[Cerebellar hemorrhage--a rare, but serious complication in decompression disease]

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1999 Oct 30;119(26):3901-2.
[Article in Norwegian]

Abstract

Since 1978, five conferences on diving-related illness have failed to conclude that diving could lead to brain damage. We present a case history of a diver with decompression disease who also experienced brain damage. He performed a normal dive down to a depth of ten metres, when suddenly he had to go up to the surface. The patient was brought to the nearest hospital with a decompression chamber and treated according to standard procedure, yet his condition did not improve as expected. A CT scan showed bilateral, cerebellar bleeding and a secondary hydrocephalus. A CT scan one year after the accident showed a normalisation. The changes in the cerebellum could be related to decompression disease. Neurosurgery may be necessary in some cases of decompression disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellum* / blood supply
  • Cerebellum* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellum* / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage, Traumatic / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage, Traumatic / etiology*
  • Decompression Sickness / complications*
  • Diving / injuries*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydrocephalus / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed