Post-dive ultrasound detection of gas in the liver of XXXX and scuba divers.

@entity35 @entity887 @entity409 @entity648
In a previous study, we obtained histologic documentation of @entity409 in the @entity35 model of rapid decompression. The aim of the study was to assess in the same model occurrence and time course of liver @entity887 using 2-D ultrasound imaging, and to explore by this means putative @entity409 in recreational scuba divers. Following 42 min compression at 7 ATA breathing air and 12 min decompression, eight surviving female @entity35 were anesthetized and the liver imaged by ultrasound at 20 min intervals up to 120 min. A significant enhancement of echo signal was recorded from 60 to 120 min as compared to earlier post-decompression times. Enzymatic markers of @entity409 (AST, ALT, and GGT) increased significantly at 24 h upon decompression. Twelve healthy experienced divers were studied basally and at 15-min intervals up to 60 min following a 30-min scuba dive at 30 msw depth. At 30 min upon surfacing echo images showed significant signal enhancement that progressed and reached plateau at 45 and 60 min. Total @entity648 at 24 h increased significantly (p = 0.02) with respect to basal values although within the reference range. In conclusion, 2-D ultrasound liver imaging allowed detection of gas @entity887 in the @entity35 and defined the time course of gas accumulation. Its application to scuba divers revealed @entity409 in all subjects in the absence of clear-cut evidence of @entity409 or of any symptom. The clinical significance of our findings remains to be investigated.
