What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of an 87-year-old male who developed focal motor status epilepticus during hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a decubitus ulcer.
What They Found
An 87-year-old male undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for a decubitus ulcer developed tonic-clonic contractions on his left arm after repeated exposures. He was diagnosed with focal motor status epilepticus and successfully treated with intravenous phenytoin (20 mg/kg) followed by oral phenytoin (300 mg/d), resulting in no subsequent seizures.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be aware of potential neurological complications, including seizures. Healthcare providers should monitor for both generalized and focal seizure activity, as prompt recognition and treatment can prevent further complications.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.