Publication Abstracts

Inner Ear Decompression Sickness Following Altitude Chamber Operation

Zohar Nachum, M.D., Avi Shupak, M.D., Orna Spitzer, M.A., Zohara Sharoni, M.A., Yitzchak Ramon, M.D., Amir Abramovich, M.D., and Baruch Shahal, M.D.
Aviat Space Environ Med 1999; 70:1106-9

Abstract

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a known hazard of altitude chamber operation. The musculoskeletal, dermal, neurological and pulmonary manifestations of DCS are well recognized, but inner ear injury has not been reported. We present the unusual case of a medical corpsman suffering from vestibular DCS after an altitude chamber exposure to 25,000 ft. The patient had a good clinical response to hyperbaric treatment, but there was laboratory evidence of mild residual vestibular damage with full compensation. This case suggests that aviation medical personnel should be more aware of the possible occurrence of inner ear DCS among subjects exposed to altitude.

Keywords: altitude chamber, hypobaric chamber, decompression sickness, inner ear, hyperbaric oxygenation.

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Table of Contents for Volume 70, Number 11 of the ASME journal.