Markers of Central Nervous System Injury in Decompression Sickness

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a risk associated with diving. Common symptoms are joint and limb pain, skin rash, ataxia, hemiplegia, visual disturbances, paresthesias, limb numbness, nystagmus and vertigo. Treatment consists of recompression in a hyperbaric chamber, commonly referred to as hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).

It has been thought since the last quarter of the 19th century that DCS is caused by bubble formation in the tissues when dissolved inert gas comes out of solution. It was long thought that decompression schedules that did not give rise to any gas bubbles in the body also averted DCS. However, with the advent of ultrasound Doppler technology in the 1970s it was found that intravascular gas bubbles could exist even after uneventful dives. Dives well within limits established by military and sports authorities have been shown to generate intravascular bubbles. Hence, additional pathophysiological factors have been sought.

There is evidence of endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy and inflammatory activation after diving. Though, their role in the pathophysiology of DCS remains to be determined.

Studies have shown that fluid markers of CNS injury can be found in blood samples obtained from athletes practising ice-hockey, boxing and american football. There is reason to believe that fluid markers of CNS injury will be present in blood samples obtained from divers with DCS as well.

Study subjects will be recruited by the attending physician at the Hyperbaric chamber at SU/Omrade 2 after the patient has been given a diagnosis of decompression sickness. Prior to treatment in the hyperbaric chamber, 4 ml of blood will be drawn via a plastic intravenous catheter that is placed in an arm vein as part of normal, established care of injured divers in the Emergency Department (to provide intravenous fluid and medications). A second 4 ml sample will be obtained from the same catheter after the patient has completed treatment (the typical hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness lasts ~5.5 hours). The study object will also provide information regarding his/her general health and the completed dive. All study data, including blood samples, will anonymized and provided with a study code.

When feasible, blood samples will be obtained 1 week and 3-6 months after HBOT. These samples will be handled the same as the two obtained on the day of injury.