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Clinical Study Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc 1993

Air embolism with bilateral pneumothorax after a five-meter dive.

Friehs I, Friehs GM, Friehs GB — Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, 1993

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers described a case of a diver who developed severe complications after an emergency ascent from a five-meter depth.

What They Found

They found that a diver experienced a triad of symptoms, including air embolism with subsequent paraparesis, pneumomediastinum, and bilateral pneumothorax, following an emergency ascent. This was the first such case observed in 20 years at the Graz hyperbaric center, and the patient was successfully treated with recompression and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection as it describes a case treated in Graz, Austria.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a broader population of divers.

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Study Details

Study Type Clinical Study
Category Decompression Sickness
Source Pubmed
PubMed ID 8329942
Year Published 1993
Journal Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc
MeSH Terms Accidents; Adult; Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; Barotrauma; Diving; Drainage; Embolism, Air; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Pneumothorax

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology