Decompression Sickness

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Abstract

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a form of dysbarism, which is the general term applied to all changes, pathophysiological changes secondary to altered environmental pressure. This chapter looks at risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and the treatment of DCS. Early recompression is the only effective treatment for DCS, the increase in pressure redissolving the gas phase and oxygen restoring endothelial disruption and downregulating neutrophil interactions. For air diving recompression with oxygen or helium and oxygen mixtures is preferred to recompression breathing air. Helium and oxygen divers should not be recompressed breathing air. The management of neurological manifestations of DCS is given special attention to avoid late sequelae.

Keywords

Dysbarism Altitude sickness Decompression sickness (DCS) Dysbaric osteonecrosis Recompression Hyperbaric chamber Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) Helium-oxygen mixtures Comex 30 Microembolism Perivenous syndrome (PS) Neutrophils 
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of SurgeryNinewells Hospital and Medical SchoolDundeeUK
  2. 2.BaselSwitzerland

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