What Researchers Did
This retrospective study reviewed medical records and MRI findings of seven patients diagnosed with spinal cord decompression sickness (DCS) at a local hyperbaric facility between 1997 and 2007.
What They Found
Researchers found patchy T2W changes affecting multiple spinal cord levels, with most patients demonstrating grey matter affliction consistent with an arterial infarction pattern, contrary to the common belief of venous infarction. Initial involvement of more than six spinal cord levels was associated with a poor outcome, and patients with symptom onset within 30 minutes of resurfacing had multiple neurological sequelae with less than 50% symptom resolution despite recompression.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing spinal cord decompression sickness (DCS) may benefit from prompt MRI evaluation to identify the extent and pattern of spinal cord involvement. Early recognition of extensive spinal cord lesions or rapid symptom onset could help clinicians anticipate and manage potentially poorer outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in a local hyperbaric facility outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation of this study is its very small sample size of only seven patients, which limits the generalizability of the findings.