title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: treatment for spinal cord decompression sickness.
abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) may result from decompression sickness associated with sport and commercial diving. Decompression sickness is caused by the formation of gas bubbles in the vessels and tissues secondary to a reduction in ambient pressure. A complete or incomplete spinal cord injury may result from decompression sickness. Recompression and hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the primary treatment. The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) as a treatment for these injuries can greatly influence the patient's outcome. Early intervention in a recompression chamber may result in complete recovery. If treatment is delayed however, the prognosis for recovery is poor.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gertsch-Lapcevic
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*