title: Neuroimaging of diving-related decompression illness: current knowledge and perspectives.
abstract: Diving-related decompression illness is classified into 2 main categories: arterial gas embolism and decompression sickness. The latter is further divided into types 1 and 2, depending on the clinical presentation. MR imaging is currently the most accurate neuroimaging technique available for the detection of brain and spinal cord lesions in neurologic type 2 decompression sickness. Rapid bubble formation in tissues and the bloodstream during ascent is the basic pathophysiologic mechanism in decompression illness. These bubbles can damage the central nervous system through different mechanisms, namely arterial occlusion, venous obstruction, or in situ toxicity. Neuroimaging studies of decompression sickness have reported findings associated with each of these mechanisms: some typical results are summarized and illustrated in this article. We also review the limitations of previous work and make practical methodologic suggestions for future neuroimaging studies.
authors.affiliation: From the Neurology Division (J.K.T., P.P., A.K.), Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamtchum Tatuene
authors.affiliation: Hyperbaric Medicine Centre (R.P.), Department of Emergency Medicine.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pignel
authors.affiliation: From the Neurology Division (J.K.T., P.P., A.K.), Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Division (K.O.L., M.I.V.), Department of Imaging and Medical Information Sciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Lovblad
authors.affiliation: From the Neurology Division (J.K.T., P.P., A.K.), Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kleinschmidt
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Division (K.O.L., M.I.V.), Department of Imaging and Medical Information Sciences, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Maria.I.Vargas@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Vargas
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004242:Diving; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology