Electroencephalography, evoked potentials and MRI brain scans in saturation divers. An epidemiological study.
One hundred and fifty-six air and saturation divers, mean age 33.6 (range 21-49) years, were examined. The control group consisted of 100 offshore workers and policemen with the health requirements to have a diving certificate, mean age 34.0 (range 22-48) years. The examination protocol included electroencephalography (EEG), visual evoked potentials (VEPs), brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and brain-stem. Abnormal EEGs, with focal slow waves mostly in the temporal regions and sharp potentials, were found in 18% of the divers and in 5% of the controls (P = 0.003). Abnormal EEGs correlated significantly with the exposure to saturation diving (P = 0.0006) and the prevalence of decompression sickness (P = 0.0102). Alcohol consumption was negatively correlated with abnormal EEGs (P = 0.0006). Mean I-III BAEP latency was increased (P = 0.047) in the diver group. P100 VEP latency decreased with age (21-49 years). High signal intensity changes obtained by MRI were found in 33% of the divers and in 43% of the controls (P = 0.14). It is concluded that the nervous system of saturation divers is influenced by their occupation and that EEG is a useful method in the health examination of divers.
Todnem
K
K
Norwegian Underwater Technology Centre, Bergen.
Skeidsvoll
H
H
Svihus
R
R
Rinck
P
P
Riise
T
T
Kambestad
B K
BK
Aarli
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic