Spinal cord decompression sickness associated with scuba diving: correlation of immediate and delayed magnetic resonance imaging findings with severity of neurologic impairment--a report on 3 cases.

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported on three cases of spinal cord decompression sickness in scuba divers, correlating immediate and delayed MRI findings with neurologic impairment severity.

What They Found

Of 175 DCS patients, 3 had spinal cord injury with severe sensory and motor dysfunction (Fränkel's grade A) and increased T2-weighted MRI signals in spinal segments 1-4 within 24 hours. While MRI abnormalities significantly decreased in size by 1 month, neurologic function showed minimal or no improvement (Fränkel's grade A or B) in all three patients.

What This Means for Canadian Patients

This study highlights the potential for severe, persistent neurological deficits in spinal cord DCS despite early treatment and resolution of MRI abnormalities. For Canadian patients, this suggests that even with prompt medical intervention for spinal cord DCS, long-term neurological recovery may be limited, emphasizing the importance of prevention.

Canadian Relevance

This study was conducted in Japan and does not have a direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

A significant limitation of this study is its very small sample size, reporting on only three cases.