MR imaging of the central nervous system in divers.
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonanse imaging (MRI) frequently reveals asymptomatic cerebral infarctions in the general population.


OBJECTIVE
The central nervous system (CNS) of divers is affected by a hyperbaric environment even if they are asymptomatic.


METHODS
We examined 25 uniformed service divers by MRI and compared them with normal controls.


RESULTS
Of 25 divers, 9 had CNS lesions vs. 2 of 25 controls (p = 0.02). There was a significant relationship between the CNS lesions, age, and smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
The divers had a risk of accumulating CNS lesions. These results suggested that divers should undergo periodic medical evaluations and MRI brain scanning.
Yanagawa
Y
Y
National Defense Medical College, Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Okada
Y
Y
Terai
C
C
Ikeda
T
T
Ishida
K
K
Fukuda
H
H
Hirata
F
F
Fujita
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects