What Researchers Did
Researchers presented two case studies of US military personnel who developed severe decompression sickness during high-altitude flights and were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
Both US Air Force personnel, a pilot and a navigator, experienced Type II altitude-related decompression sickness after exposure to high altitudes, likely above 25,000 ft. They were successfully treated using a US Navy Oxygen Treatment Table 6, a specific hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers decompression sickness, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study's findings are based on only two individuals and may not apply to all patients with altitude decompression sickness.