title: Cutaneous decompression sickness.
abstract: A probable case of decompression illness with associated cutis marmorata is presented, which regressed over a few hours with oxygen breathing and after intravenous methylprednisolone and fluid resuscitation without recompression. He was eventually transferred for hyperbaric treatment some 10 hours post dive. Cutaneous decompression illness is not associated with high mortality per se, but prompt and accurate recognition is warranted, as it may represent a prodromal feature of potentially life-threatening complications. However, in this case, as differential diagnosis, an allergic reaction remains possible.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tasios
authors.affiliation: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Athens Naval Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios Gr
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Sidiras
authors.affiliation: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Athens Naval Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasileios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kalentzos
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Hippokration General Hospital, Konstantinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece Phone: +30-(0)2310892072, Fax: +30-(0)2310892117, E-mail: a.pyrpasopoulou@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pyrpasopoulou
mesh_terms: D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000209:etiology*; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: Decompression sickness; allergy; decompression illness; first aid; oxygen; treatment