Vasculitis masquerading as neurologic decompression illness.
An adult male diver developed limb pains and peripheral neurologic signs following a series of dives. He was treated for acute neurologic decompression illness (DCI) and responded well, but subsequently he deteriorated and developed features of a progressive multisystem disease. Investigation confirmed a clinical diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa complicated by a mononeuritis multiplex. Vasculitis is uncommon and its masquerade as neurologic DCI may be unique. However, this case empha-sizes the importance of careful clinical assessment and illustrates the potentially wide differential diagnosis of DCI.
Benton
P J
PJ
Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
Smith
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy