What Researchers Did
Researchers reported two cases of acute psychosis that occurred following diving and were initially suspected as decompression sickness (DCS).
What They Found
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment did not improve the psychotic features in either patient. Detailed medical evaluations determined that both patients did not have decompression sickness (DCS) or arterial gas embolism (AGE), despite initial suspicions of diving-related illness.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers experiencing acute psychosis after diving should seek a thorough medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions, even if decompression sickness is initially suspected. It is unlikely that a pure psychotic episode is caused by diving-related conditions like DCS or AGE.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by its small sample size, reporting only two specific cases.