Definitive Treatment of Neurological Decompression Sickness in a Resource Limited Location

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-49
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Petruso ◽  
Samuel M. Philbrick
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Military Bases ◽  
Hyperbaric Chamber ◽  
Hyperbaric Treatment ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Air Force Base

BACKGROUND: While Fairbanks, AK, USA, is a remote location with significant constraints on medical resources and specialty care, a small U.S. Air Force clinic was able to provide a pilot with definitive care for neurological decompression sickness.CASE REPORT: A 31-yr-old female patient presented to her flight surgeon in Anchorage, AK, USA, with migrating polyarthropathy and headaches 48 h after a flight which included planned aircraft decompression for high altitude low opening (HALO) jump operations. In order to get definitive treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, the patient typically would have to be flown to Seattle, WA, USA. This transfer of care would cost the Air Force approximately 150,000 and may have led to more complicated disease. Fortunately, Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) in Fairbanks had previously procured a Hyperlite hyperbaric chamber specifically for this situation. After consultation with a hyperbaric specialist, the team decided that the most appropriate course of action was to transfer her by car 6 h north from Anchorage to Fairbanks. On initiation of the Hart treatment table, she experienced immediate reduction in joint pain with a reversal of neurological symptoms.DISCUSSION: This patients care could not have been done without the procurement of a hyperbaric chamber. This case demonstrates the utility and necessity for these capabilities at more facilities that manage significant flying operations. Military bases should ensure that hyperbaric treatment capabilities are available within a close proximity.Petruso MJ, Philbrick SM. Definitive treatment of neurological decompression sickness in a resource limited location. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(1):4749.

Assault on the French Canal Bridge

2020 ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
R. A. Behrstock
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Panama Canal ◽  
Military Bases ◽  
Canal Zone ◽  
Air Force Base ◽  
Birding Sites ◽  
The U.S

This chapter details the author's experience during a birding tour in Panama, when their group was mistakenly attacked by heavily armed U.S. soldiers. On December 31, 1999, forty-five years of jungle warfare training ended when the Panama Canal and the U.S. military bases in the Canal Zone, including popular birding sites such as Ft. Sherman, Ft. Clayton, and Albrook Air Force Base, were transferred to the Panamanian government. Until then, birding tours in the Canal Zone often encountered U.S. forces on jungle maneuvers. Walking through the woods along Achiote or Black Tank Road, the author's group encountered soldiers crouched in the undergrowth. Occasionally, the solder would ask if they had seen “the aggressor.” Communicating with outsiders, birders in this case, seemed to be part of their strategy.

Hyperbaric treatment for decompression sickness: current recommendations

2019 ◽  
pp. 685-693
Author(s):  
Richard E. Moon ◽  
◽  
Simon Mitchell ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Dissolved Gas ◽  
Hyperbaric Chamber ◽  
Hyperbaric Treatment ◽  
Hypobaric Chamber ◽  
Rapid Ascent ◽  
Gas Pressures

Rationale Decompression sickness (DCS, “bends”) is caused by formation of bubbles in tissues and/or blood when the sum of dissolved gas pressures exceeds ambient pressure (supersaturation) [1]. This may occur when ambient pressure is reduced during any of the following: • ascent from a dive; • depressurization of a hyperbaric chamber; • rapid ascent to altitude in an unpressurised aircraft or hypobaric chamber; • loss of cabin pressure in an aircraft [2] and • during space walks.

Decompression sickness in the rat following a dive on trimix: recompression therapy with oxygen vs. heliox and oxygen

2007 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 1324-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Arieli ◽  
P. Svidovsky ◽  
A. Abramovich
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Decompression Sickness ◽  
Hyperbaric Chamber ◽  
Permanent Disability ◽  
Hyperbaric Treatment ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Time Required

Trimix (a mixture of helium, nitrogen, and oxygen) has been used in deep diving to reduce the risk of high-pressure nervous syndrome during compression and the time required for decompression at the end of the dive. There is no specific recompression treatment for decompression sickness (DCS) resulting from trimix diving. Our purpose was to validate a rat model of DCS on decompression from a trimix dive and to compare recompression treatment with oxygen and heliox (helium-oxygen). Rats were exposed to trimix in a hyperbaric chamber and tested for DCS while walking in a rotating wheel. We first established the experimental model, and then studied the effect of hyperbaric treatment on DCS: either hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) (1 h, 280 kPa oxygen) or heliox-HBO (0.5 h, 405 kPa heliox 50%-50% followed by 0.5 h, 280 kPa oxygen). Exposure to trimix was conducted at 1,110 kPa for 30 min, with a decompression rate of 100 kPa/min. Death and most DCS symptoms occurred during the 30-min period of walking. In contrast to humans, no permanent disability was found in the rats. Rats with a body mass of 100–150 g suffered no DCS. The risk of DCS in rats weighing 200–350 g increased linearly with body mass. Twenty-four hours after decompression, death rate was 40% in the control animals and zero in those treated immediately with HBO. When treatment was delayed by 5 min, death rate was 25 and 20% with HBO and heliox, respectively.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document