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Pilot Study Aviation, space, and environmental medicine 2010

Neurologic decompression sickness following cabin pressure fluctuations at high altitude.

Auten JD, Kuhne MA, Walker HM, Porter HO — Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 2010

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers described a case of neurologic decompression sickness in a 28-year-old pilot who experienced rapid cabin pressure fluctuations at high altitude.

What They Found

A 28-year-old pilot developed neurologic symptoms, including fatigue, confusion, and motor deficits, approximately 1 hour after experiencing 12 rapid cabin pressure fluctuations at 43,000 ft. He received hyperbaric oxygen therapy 3.5 hours post-incident, achieving partial relief in 30 minutes and full resolution in 90 minutes, with no recurrence at 1-year follow-up.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

As a single case report, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to a broader 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 Pilot Study
Category Neurological
Source Pubmed
PubMed ID 20377149
Year Published 2010
Journal Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
MeSH Terms Adult; Aerospace Medicine; Aircraft; Altitude; Altitude Sickness; Confusion; Decompression Sickness; Dizziness; Fatigue; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Naval Medicine; Nervous System Diseases; Risk Factors

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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