[abstract] BRAIN PATHOLOGY IN DIVERS - A REVIEW OF RECENT FINDINGS.

Abstract

In continuation of our studies on the neuropathology of the brain in divers (Palmer et at., 1990,1992) we have re-assessed our original 25 cases (12 amateur and 13 professional) and added a further 10 (5 amateur and 5 professional). Control brain material was obtained from 15 male airmen who died as a result of flying accidents. In the divers, microscopically, grossly dilated empty vessels were present in a total of 17 brains. This finding is probably related to the presence of intravascular gas bubbles from accidental rapid decompression. Lacunar spaces around vessels were observed in 10 brains and hyaline degeneration of small arteries in cerebral white matter in 12. Small foci of necrosis in cerebral grey matter occurred in 8 brains and evidence of patchy white matter changes in 10. These abnormalities probably arose from periodic arterial obstruction by intravascular bubbles. Palmer et al. Proc. EUBS, 1990, 137: Palmer et al. 1992, Neuropath. appl. Neurobiol. 18, in press.