Neurological Presentation of Decompression Sickness Among Koran ?Civilian Divers

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 7(1); 1989 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1989;7(1): 229-236.

민간 잠수부에서 발생한 감압병의 신경학적 증상에 관한 연구

한설희, 윤병우,노재규,조수헌,윤덕로

충북대학교 신경과. 서울대학교 신경과, 예방의학.

Neurological Presentation of Decompression Sickness Among Koran ?Civilian Divers

Seol-Heui Han,M.D., Byung-Woo Yoon,M.D., Jae-Kyu Roh,M.D., Soo-Hun Cho,M.D., Duk-Rho Yoon,M.D.

Department of neurology , College of medicine, ChungBuk National University Department of neurology , College of medicine, Seoul National University Department of preventive mnedicine , College of medicine, Seoul National University

Abstract

We retrospectively evaluated 47 patients with decompression sickness (DCS) seen at the Kang Nam General Hospital between January 1987 and June 1989 to describe the characteristcs of neurological manifestations. In 25 patients (53.2%) girdle paresthesia or bandlike tightness was noted just before the onset of neurological symptoms or signs. Progressive limb weakness, urinary retention, alterations in mentality, severe paresthesia were main presenting features in order of decreasing frequency. In the spinal from of DCS lower thoracic segment was most commonly involved. On the contrary to the previous pathological reports posterior columns were relatively spared in view of clinical points. Of 7 patients tested with Somatosensory Evoked Potetial (SSEP), five showed abnormal fidings. Myoclonic jerks of lower limb were the most common late sequelae.