Neurologic outcome of controlled compressed-air diving

Neurology. 2000 Dec 12;55(11):1743-5. doi: 10.1212/wnl.55.11.1743.

Abstract

The authors compared the neurologic, neuropsychological, and neuroradiologic status of military compressed-air divers without a history of neurologic decompression illness and controls. No gross differences in the neuropsychometric test results or abnormal neurologic findings were found. There was no correlation between test results, diving experience, and number and size of cerebral MRI lesions. Prevalence of cerebral lesions was not increased in divers. These results suggest that there are no long-term CNS sequelae in military divers if diving is performed under controlled conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decompression Sickness / pathology*
  • Decompression Sickness / physiopathology
  • Diving / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / psychology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Reaction Time / physiology