Neurological symptoms after a provocative dive: spinal DCS or anterior spinal artery syndrome?
Reported here is a 37-yr-old professional diving instructor who had developed complaints of back pain and weakness in the lower extremities after diving. He was eventually diagnosed as having spinal cord decompression sickness along with a likely diagnosis of anterior spinal artery (artery of Adamkiewicz) syndrome. Additionally, since the transthoracic echocardiography revealed patent foramen ovale, we hypothesized that it might have been a potential route for gas bubbles to occlude the anterior spinal artery in this diver.
Uzun
Gunalp
G
Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Teaching Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. gunalpuzun@yahoo.com
Cakar
Engin
E
Kiralp
Mehmet Zeki
MZ
Carli
Alparslan
A
Durmuş
Oğuz
O
Senol
Mehmet Güney
MG
Mutluoğlu
Mesut
M
Uz
Omer
O
Dinçer
Umit
U
Ozçakar
Levent
L
D000328:Adult; D020759:Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male