Abdominal CT Scan Findings of Decompression Sickness: A Case Report

Authors

  • Taylor Schwartz
  • Shawn Gough-Fibkins
  • Roberta Santini
  • David Kopylov

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v12i10.3425

Keywords:

Case Report, Decompression Sickness, portal vein gas, CT, abdominal gas,

Abstract

This case report depicts the radiologic findings of a 51-year-old male presenting with Decompression Sickness. Decompression Sickness is diagnosed clinically, therefore radiologic imaging of this disease entity is limited. Our patient's history includes a scuba dive to depth of 110 feet with a descending time of 24 minutes and an ascending time of 8 minutes. The patient subsequently presented to the Emergency Room with symptoms of shortness of breath and abdominal pain. The abdominal pain prompted physicians to explore further, and hence computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed. This case report demonstrates a striking and unique gas pattern in both the systemic and portal venous system of our patient and provides an excellent example of the imaging findings of Decompression Sickness in the literature.

Author Biographies

Taylor Schwartz

Nova Southeastern University College of Medicine, Davie, FL USA

Shawn Gough-Fibkins

Department of Radiology, Broward General Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA

Roberta Santini

Department of Radiology, Plantation General Hospital, Plantation, FL USA

David Kopylov

Department of Radiology, Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, PA USA

Published

2018-10-28

Issue

Section

General Radiology