Mononeuropathy of the medial branch of the deep peroneal nerve in a scuba diver.
Peripheral mononeuropathies occur only rarely in association with decompression illness. The sites previously reported to be affected are areas of potential entrapment in which a peripheral nerve traverses a confined area. In these instances, the pathophysiology has been presumed to be mechanical pressure in an enclosed space by a gas bubble. A rare case is now presented of a peripheral mononeuropathy of the medial branch of the deep peroneal nerve in a scuba diver following surfacing from a 195 foot dive. This case differs from prior reports of mononeuropathy in association with decompression illness in that the affected nerve does not traverse a confined site in which mechanical compression by a gas bubble is likely. The mechanism of injury is hypothesized to be a manifestation of decompression illness with a gas bubble causing blood flow obstruction and an ischemic infarct.
Sander
H W
HW
Department of Neurology, Saint Vincents Hospital of New York, NY 10011, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007222:Inert Gas Narcosis / Q000209:etiology; D009584:Nitrogen; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014034:Toes / Q000294:innervation
D005740:Gases; D009584:Nitrogen