What Researchers Did
Researchers described a rare case where a patient developed a serious brain injury from inhaling helium from an unregulated, high-pressure gas cylinder.
What They Found
Following helium inhalation, the patient experienced loss of consciousness, neurological deficits, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax. After being transferred to a hyperbaric facility for treatment, the patient's neurological symptoms completely resolved.
Canadian Relevance
The study is not Canadian. However, it covers arterial gas embolism, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study describes the experience of only one patient, so its findings may not apply to everyone.