Neurological accidents caused by repetitive breath-hold dives: two case reports

J Neurol Sci. 2000 Sep 1;178(1):66-9. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(00)00360-9.

Abstract

We report two Japanese male professional breath-hold divers (33 and 39 years of age) who experienced neurological disorders during repetitive dives to over 20 m of seawater. One patient had right homonymous hemianopsia, and the other presented with right hemiparesis with facial involvement and sensory deficit. In addition, they each had a history of neurological problems following such dives. Magnetic resonance images of their brains disclosed multiple T2-weighted hyperintensities corresponding to their neurological symptoms. Their brain lesions suggest a multiple cerebral infarction caused by occlusion of the cerebral arteries. We conclude that the repetitive deep breath-hold dives induced the brain involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Infarction / pathology
  • Decompression Sickness / diagnosis
  • Decompression Sickness / pathology*
  • Diving / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology