Pnuemo Encephalum

[Stevie H]

Anyone heard of this? (ok, I may not have spelt it right). Edit just found out its Pneumocephalus


After nearly 5 years as a pro, and more as a BSAC OWI I had never heard of it, until today.

In laymans terms its holes in the sinus that allow pressurised air to be forced into the cavities in the skull as you equalise, obviously on ascent this air expands and causes pain.

Today I was doing CESA's for PADI Open Water, guest had this problem (obviously unknown) and the quick ascent had her screaming and crying in pain when she hit the surface.....

Obviously, put her on O2 and chamber etc etc, that was when I found out about this problem - Dr Achmed reckons he sees 4/5 cases of this a year - very rare - or is it???.

It has made me wonder - how many times have you heard of a diver complaining of a headache after a dive? and heard various explanations (brushing it off) as to what may have caused it..... (skip breathing, biting down etc) and it could be something far more serious.

I wonder how many of those are PE??

Regards

Steve

[Captain Calamity]

Just to clarify, the holes between the sinuses and the space around the brain aren't usually something you are born with - often they are due to barotrauma when the pressure in the sinuses exceeds the pressure inside the skull and the gas blasts through. You sometimes see this when the top of the maxillary sinus (in the cheek) blasts through to the space around the eye - it can look pretty awful. The risk increases if you dive with gunge in your sinuses e.g. after a cold.

Hope she gets well soon.

CC

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Captain Calamity

Just to clarify, the holes between the sinuses and the space around the brain aren't usually something you are born with - often they are due to barotrauma when the pressure in the sinuses exceeds the pressure inside the skull and the gas blasts through. You sometimes see this when the top of the maxillary sinus (in the cheek) blasts through to the space around the eye - it can look pretty awful. The risk increases if you dive with gunge in your sinuses e.g. after a cold.

Hope she gets well soon.

CC

I recall reading of such a thing some years back. The diver lost their eye as a result of infection too.

Adrian