Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging of compressed air divers in diving accidents

Undersea Hyperb Med. 2009 Jan-Feb;36(1):33-41.

Abstract

To investigate the characteristics of the cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of compressed air divers in diving accidents, we conducted an observational case series study. MRI of brain were examined and analysed on seven cases compressed air divers complicated with cerebral arterial gas embolism CAGE. There were some characteristics of cerebral injury: (1) Multiple lesions; (2) larger size; (3) Susceptible to parietal and frontal lobe; (4) Both cortical grey matter and subcortical white matter can be affected; (5) Cerebellum is also the target of air embolism. The MRI of brain is an sensitive method for detecting cerebral lesions in compressed air divers in diving accidents. The MRI should be finished on divers in diving accidents within 5 days.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decompression Sickness / diagnosis*
  • Decompression Sickness / etiology
  • Decompression Sickness / therapy
  • Diving / adverse effects*
  • Diving / injuries
  • Embolism, Air / diagnosis*
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Embolism, Air / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation / methods
  • Intracranial Embolism / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Embolism / etiology
  • Intracranial Embolism / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology
  • Young Adult