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A 27-year-old man with no history of cardiopulmonary disease presented with progressive shortness of breath. He was significantly tachypneic and hypoxic, with inspiratory and expiratory wheezing. Evaluation of the chest with computed tomography revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass and interstitial thickening consistent with lymphangitic spread. Plasma beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level was elevated. Bronchoscopic biopsy specimen showed poorly differentiated carcinoma. Pleural fluid obtained via thoracentesis was positive for malignancy. Chemotherapy for the germ cell tumor, consisting of etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin, resulted in dramatic clinical improvement and normalization of the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level. The lymphangitic changes resolved, although the mediastinal mass persisted. A large, anterior mediastinal, mature teratoma, as well as pleural nodules with adenocarcinoma, was excised after completion of chemotherapy.

Overutilization of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is commonplace and primarily associated with outpatient wound care. While the number of hospitals providing HBOT is at an all-time high, the number of those willing to treat patients in immediate need is at an all-time low. Huge areas of the country, including major population areas, are now completely devoid of 24/7 HBOT availability and inpatient access. Purchasers of healthcare, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have become increasingly concerned to the point that several strategies have been introduced to constructively deal with this issue. This commentary serves as a counterpoint to concerns that one such approach, prior authorization of elective indications, adversely delays medically necessary care. The historical evolution of HBOT practice will be described to underscore how this problem has become so widespread and, to date, largely unchecked. It will also address the paradoxical national crisis of access for emergencies.

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