Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of cerebral white matter changes on MR
imaging in healthy elderly compressed air divers with a long diving history
in comparison with control subjects who have never dived.
Material and Methods: The investigation employed 59 experienced elderly div
ers and 48 control subjects matched for age, body mass index, alcohol and s
moking history. MR studies included a fluid attenuated inversion recovery s
equence and T1- and T2-weighted pre- and postcontrast images in axial orien
tation of the whole brain to localize white matter changes.
Results: MR images did not show any morphologic abnormalities in the brains
of divers. Both groups - divers and controls - did not differ significantl
y with respect to white matter changes of the brain.
Conclusion: No increased prevalence of cerebral white matter changes in com
pressed air divers compared with a healthy worker sample of similar age wer
e found. Thus, extensive compressed air diving may not necessarily be relat
ed to radiological changes on MR.