Authors: Cimsit, Maide1; Ilgezdi, Savas
1; Cimsit, Cagatay
1; Uzun, Gunalp
1 Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 78, Number 12, December , 2007 , pp. 1150-1154(5)
Abstract:
Cimsit M, Ilgezdi S, Cimsit C, Uzun G. Dysbaric osteonecrosis in experienced dive masters and instructors. Aviat Space Environ Med 2007; 78:1150-4.
Introduction: Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is a type of aseptic bone necrosis of long bones such as the humerus, femur, and tibia. It is observed in workers who perform in high-pressure environments.
Methods: There were 58 volunteer divers included in this study who had performed at least 500 dives, were working as a dive master or instructor, had never performed industrial and commercial dives, and did not have a diagnosis of osteonecrosis. Radiological evaluation was performed according to the guidelines suggested by The British Research Council Decompression Sickness Panel. A total of eight X-rays were taken per patient. When suspicious lesions were detected, MRI of the region was performed.
Results: Of the 58 divers, 2 were eliminated because of inadequate X-ray studies. A total of 18 DON lesions were detected in 14 of 56 (25%) divers. Age was the only variable independently associated with the development of DON (P < 0.05).
Discussion: The DON prevalence of 25% in this study is high considering the dive instructors had thorough diving training and strictly practiced the decompression rules. We believe this high prevalence is a result of frequent and sometimes deep dives for many years. Our findings raise the question of whether these divers can be seen as “sports divers” or should be seen as “occupational divers.” If the latter description is approved, dive masters and instructors should be kept under periodic screening for DON lesions just like professional commercial divers to help reduce the morbidity associated with this disease.
Authors: Klingmann, Christoph1; Gonnermann, Achim1; Dreyhaupt, Jens1; Vent, Julia1; Praetorius, Mark1; Plinkert, Peter K.1 Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 79, Number 2, February , 2008 , pp. 123-128(6)
Abstract:
Klingmann C, Gonnermann A, Dreyhaupt J, Vent J, Praetorius M, Plinkert PK. Decompression illness reported in a survey of 429 recreational divers. Aviat Space Environ Med 2008; 79:123-8.
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of diving experience and diving techniques on the lifetime incidence of decompression illness (DCI).
Methods: Attendants of three diving medical symposia voluntarily answered a questionnaire about their age, gender, medical history, diving experience, diving habits, diving certification levels, and diving associated incidents (cross-sectional survey).
Results: Out of 650 divers, 429 completed the questionnaire. The study population consisted of experienced divers with an average of 670 dives. The majority of the divers were certified diving instructors (43%). There were 37 participants (8.7%) who were classified as technical divers with an average of 1193 logged dives. There was an overall lifetime incidence of DCI of 1 per 5463 dives. The complete study group showed an increased lifetime incidence of DCI with decreased diving experience (1.97-fold to 8.17-fold higher). Of the divers, 27% reported severe DCI with neurological symptoms. The lifetime incidence for severe DCI was 1 in 20,291 dives. Again, lifetime incidence for severe DCI was increased with decreased diving certification level (1.1-fold to 13.7-fold higher). Technical divers showed a DCI lifetime incidence of 1 to 8591 dives compared to the non-technical divers with a lifetime incidence of 1 to 5077 dives (not significant).
Conclusion: In our study population, the lifetime incidence of DCI was increased in divers with less diving experience. If further studies confirm this finding, diving federations should be encouraged to intensify their efforts of educating divers and should limit diving time and depth in inexperienced divers.
Keywords: decompression sickness; altitude decompression sickness; decompression illness; diving accidents; arterial gas embolism; technical diving Affiliations: 1: From the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (C. Klingmann, A. Gonnermann, M. Praetorius, P. K. Plinkert) and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (J. Dreyhaupt), University of Heidelberg Medical Center, Heidelberg, Germany; and the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Cologne Medical Center, Cologne, Germany (J. Vent).
========================================================
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com