J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2003 Dec;14(5):690-693.

A Case of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism after SCUBA Diving

• Park JS
• You YH
• Hong SW
• Chung SP
• Kim SW
• Yoo IS

Abstract

Pulmonary barotrauma during ascent is a common complication in SCUBA diving. One of the most severe forms of pulmonary barotrauma is a cerebral arterial gas embolism(CAGE). It is reported to account for about 30% of diving related deaths. The early recognition of CAGE is very important for the emergency physician because prompt hyperbaric recompression therapy can improve the clinical course. Thus, the emergency physician should know the clinical manifestation of CAGE to apply several treatment modalities early. We report a case of cerebral arterial gas embolism presented with hemiparesis and blurred vision immediately after SCUBA diving at 13 meters.

Keyword

Cerebral arterial; Gas embolism; Barotrauma; Therapy

MeSH Terms

Barotrauma
Diving*
Embolism, Air*
Emergencies
Paresis