What Researchers Did
UK clinicians described the prolonged rehabilitation of a 55-year-old professional diver who suffered severe decompression illness with stroke-like bilateral cortical infarcts after surfacing from a second dive.
What They Found
After initial HBOT, MRI confirmed extensive bilateral cortical watershed infarcts. The patient developed ARDS, myoclonic seizures, and profound weakness. Over three months of inpatient rehabilitation, her Barthel index improved from 4 to 17, Montreal Cognitive Assessment improved, and she achieved independent ambulation with bladder and bowel continence.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Decompression sickness is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario. This case illustrates that even severe neurological decompression illness can lead to meaningful recovery with timely HBOT followed by structured rehabilitation.
Canadian Relevance
Decompression sickness is a covered OHIP indication for HBOT. This case underscores the importance of rapid access to recompression facilities for Canadian divers, as delay to treatment worsens outcomes.
Study Limitations
A single case report cannot establish prognosis for decompression illness with stroke; the degree of recovery may reflect individual variation rather than a generalizable treatment response.