ACUTE CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME IN A DIVER - EVIDENCE OF PERIPHERAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT IN DECOMPRESSION ILLNESS

Conclusive evidence for involvement of the peripheral nervous system i n decompression illness is lacking. We report a case of decompression illness associated with shoulder pain and the clinical features of med ian nerve injury at the wrist. initial recompression and hyperbaric ox ygen treatment produced prompt relief of all symptoms and signs, but c arpal tunnel syndrome subsequently recurred. Nerve conduction studies confirmed median nerve conduction delay at the wrist. Repeat measureme nts after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen showed electro-physiologic improvement that was consistent with improvement in symptoms. We belie ve this is the first objectively substantiated case of injury to the p eripheral nervous system caused by decompression illness.