title: Is there a role for the autochthonous bubble in the pathogenesis of spinal cord decompression sickness?
abstract: Histological examination by light and electron microscopy of the spinal cords of four dogs rapidly perfusion-fixed after the onset of decompression sickness revealed the presence of numerous non-staining, space-occupying lesions that were absent in similarly prepared sections of control or ischemic spinal cords. We propose the hypothesis that these lesions are caused by the liberation of a gas phase. The possible significance of these lesions in the evolution of spinal cord dysfunction is discussed with reference to the principal theories of the pathogenesis of spinal cord decompression sickness.
authors.affiliation: Diving Medicine Department, Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-5055.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Pezeshkpour
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dutka
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hallenbeck
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Flynn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005740:Gases; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005740:Gases