DECOMPRESSION-SICKNESS PRESENTING AS FOREARM SWELLING AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY - A CASE-REPORT

Neurological symptoms after decompression from a dive are usually thou ght to be manifestations of central nervous system (CNS) decompression sickness (DCS). We present a case of DCS in which neurological sympto ms are present but which the clinical findings, magnetic resonance ima ging and electroneuromyographic studies suggest were caused by muscle injury and exacerbation of an existing peripheral neuropathy. This fin ding supports the alternative hypothesis that some neurological sympto ms and signs in DCS are due to effects on peripheral nerves rather tha n the CNS.