Case Study Aviation, space, and environmental medicine 2013

Differential diagnosis considerations of sickness after rapid pressure changes at altitude.

Walrath B, Smith JE, Raghunandan A, Boni B, Latham E — Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 2013

View Original on PubMed PMID 24459802

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers presented a case report of a Naval F/A-18C pilot who experienced acute and delayed neurological symptoms after four rapid decompression cycles.

What They Found

The pilot developed acute neurological injuries after his cockpit underwent four rapid decompression cycles from 11,000 to 29,000 ft in 20 seconds, concerning for arterial gas embolism or hypoxia, followed by delayed symptoms consistent with decompression sickness. He achieved complete neurological recovery after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen via a standard U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, the findings are not generalizable to a broader patient population.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	Case Study
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	24459802
Year Published	2013
Journal	Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
MeSH Terms	Adult; Aerospace Medicine; Altitude; Confusion; Decompression Sickness; Diagnosis, Differential; Earache; Embolism, Air; Gait; Headache; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Hypoxia; Male; Memory Disorders

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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