Two unusual cases of severe dysbarism after compressed air work in Hong Kong.
Two cases of unusual severe dysbarism are reported. One case occurred after working in compressed air at a pressure of 2.05 kg/cm2 (29 psi) for a duration of 27 min; the second case, after working for a duration of 6 h at a pressure of only 1.0 kg/cm2 (14.2 psi). The first case presented a combination of symptoms resembling "the chokes" and "the staggers," progressing into shock probably due to micro-air embolism. The second suffered chest pain and "the chokes," complicated by an underlying chest infection. Both were treated successfully by recompression.
D000328:Adult; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors