Neurophysiological assessment of divers with medical histories of neurolgical decompression illness

Abstract

Objective - To examine the possibility that subclinical damage may persist after clinical recovery from neurological decompression illness. Methods - The neuraxes of 71 divers with medical histories of neurological decompression illness and 37 non-diver controls were examined by recording the somatosensory evoked potentials produced on stimulation of the posterior tibial and median nerves. Results - Although the tests gave some objective support for the presence of 'soft' residual neurological symptoms and signs, no evidence was given for the presence of subclinical damage. Conclusions - The contention that neurological damage persists after full clinical recovery from the neurological decompression illness was not supported.