Presentation
SCUBA diver.
Patient Data
Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.
Diffuse subarachnoid air foci in brain sulci and subarachnoid cisterns.
Diffuse pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumobilia. Parenchymal interstitial air foci involving both kidneys, pancreas and spleen.
Bilateral ground glass opacities on both lungs.
Subcutaneous and soft tissue emphysema noted.
Intracardiac air mainly in left atrium, left ventricle and aorta.
Interstitial intramural air in cardiac wall.
Case Discussion
Severe fatal decompression syndrome in diver. Decompression syndrome is a result of rapid ascend following diving. The longer and the deeper the dive, the slower should be their ascent to the surface to avoid decompression syndrome.
The syndrome occurs when the surrounding pressure (from the water) decreases rapidly causing the dissolved nitrogen in the blood stream and tissues to change into a gaseous state. This may lead to gas embolism, which can be massive and fatal as clearly illustrated in this case.
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