title: Unusual neurological syndrome induced by atmospheric pressure change.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe a case of a 46-yr-old female who developed hypertension, tachycardia, dysarthria, and leg weakness provoked by pressure changes associated with flying. Typically during the landing phase of flight, she would feel dizzy and note that she had difficulty with speech and leg weakness. After the flight the leg weakness persisted for several days. The symptoms were mitigated when she took a combined alpha-beta blocker (labetalol) prior to the flight.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine if these symptoms were related to atmospheric pressure change, she was referred for testing in a hyperbaric chamber. She was exposed to elevated atmospheric pressure (maximum 1.2 ATA) while her heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. Within 1 min she developed tachycardia and hypertension. She also quickly developed slurred speech, left arm and leg weakness, and sensory changes in her left leg. She was returned to sea level pressure and her symptoms gradually improved. A full neurological workup has revealed no explanation for these findings. She has no air collections, cysts, or other anatomic findings that could be sensitive to atmospheric pressure change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pattern is most consistent with a vascular event stimulated by altitude exposure. This case suggests that atmospheric pressure change can produce neurological symptoms, although the mechanism is unknown.
authors.affiliation: The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
authors.forename: Judy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ptak
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Yazinski
authors.forename: Clay A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Jay C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Buckey
mesh_terms: D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D007866:Leg; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology*