What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of spontaneous subarachnoidal pneumocephalus in an occupational diver after a 20-meter dive.
What They Found
An occupational diver experienced sudden headache, dizziness, and disorientation at 17 meters during a 20-meter dive. CT scans revealed air in the subarachnoidal space and a bony defect in the sphenoid sinus. One year later, he still suffered from central nervous symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder, preventing him from working or diving.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers experiencing increasing headache or other central nervous disturbances during ascent should be evaluated for pneumocephalus. This rare but serious complication can lead to long-term neurological issues and inability to continue diving.
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 larger population of divers.