Open AccessPneumomediastinum and the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment
Author(s) -
Stephanie M Price,
Will D Price,
Mickaila Johnston
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diving and hyperbaric medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.389
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 2209-1491
pISSN - 1833-3516
DOI - 10.28920/dhm51.1.119-123
Subject(s) - pneumomediastinum , hyperbaric oxygen , pneumothorax , medicine , anesthesia , respiratory system , oxygen therapy , hyperbaric oxygenation , surgery , intensive care medicine
Pulmonary barotrauma may occur in diving and can result in a spectrum of injuries referred to as pulmonary over-inflation syndrome (POIS). Pneumomediastinum is a part of the POIS spectrum and only rarely results in respiratory symptoms. We present a case of a civilian diver who developed pneumomediastinum with respiratory symptoms which did not respond to normobaric 100% oxygen. After investigation for pneumothorax, he underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment which resulted in significant alleviation of his symptoms. This is a novel case example of this treatment algorithm.