[abstract] THE ROLE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING IN THE HYPERBARIC MANAGEMENT OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE PATIENT.

Abstract

Three case studies are presented that demonstrate the necessity of hyperbaric intervention in severe cases of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. The case histories demonstrate the difficulty in identifying carbon monoxide poisoning as the causative agent due to the nonspecificity of symptoms and physical findings. Aggressive hyperbaric treatment was instituted following the appropriate laboratory testing despite the significant delay in diagnosis. Comprehensive neuropsychological testing was instituted prior to the initial hyperbaric exposure treatment with serial testings performed across hyperbaric treatments. In these case studies, we present neuropsychological test data demonstrating the progressive recovery of selective cognitive domains along with the continuation of selective cognitive residuals across the serial treatments. The relevance of comprehensive neuropsychological testing as another measurement tool in the hyperbaric care of the patient will be discussed.