pulmonary barotrauma


pulmonary barotrauma

Sports medicine Life-threatening barotrauma seen in divers Clinical Mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema produces changes in voice, dyspnea, dysphagia, supraclavicular crepitus, typical findings on chest and neck films; pneumothorax may cause abrupt pain, dyspnea Sequelae Arterial air embolism caused by passage of gas into pulmonary veins and thence to the systemic circulation; gas bubbles lodged in small arteries may occlude segments of the cerebral, coronary, and other systemic vascular beds, resulting in a stroke-like syndrome ranging from mild neurologic defects to collapse, unconsciousness, and death once the diver surfaces. See Barotrauma.