What Researchers Did
Researchers reported the case of a 42-year-old commercial diver who developed severe decompression sickness with unusual intra-abdominal gas after repetitive dives.
What They Found
A 42-year-old commercial diver presented with severe decompression sickness (Type II DCS) after three hours of repetitive dives to 25-30 meters below sea level. An abdominal CT revealed diffuse branch-like pneumatosis in his liver, mesentery, and intestines, which completely resolved after two hyperbaric oxygen treatment sessions.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This case suggests that Canadian dive doctors should consider a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT for divers presenting with decompression sickness and gastrointestinal symptoms. Such an approach could facilitate prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of rare complications like intra-abdominal pneumatosis.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a case report from outside Canada.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings are not generalizable to a broader population of divers with decompression sickness.