Acute ischemic colitis secondary to air embolism after diving

Abstract

Ischemic colitis (IC) secondary to air embolism from decompression sickness or barotrauma during diving is an extremely rare condition. After extensive review of the available literature, we found that there has been only one reported case of IC secondary to air embolism from diving. Although air embolization from diving and the various medical complications that follow have been well documented, the clinical manifestation of IC from an air embolism during diving is very rare and thus far unstudied. Common symptoms of IC include abdominal pain, bloody or non-bloody diarrhea or nausea or vomiting or any combination. Emergency physicians and Critical Care specialists should consider IC as a potential diagnosis for a patient with the above-mentioned symptoms and a history of recent diving. We report a case of IC from air embolism after a routine dive to 75 feet below sea level in a 53-year-old White female who presented to a community Emergency Department complaining of a 2-day history of diffuse abdominal pain and nausea. She was diagnosed by colonoscopy with biopsies and treated conservatively with antibiotics, bowel rest, and a slow advancement in diet.

Decompression Illness in a Scuba Diver With Significant Esophageal Injury

“…These have included 3 cases reports of ischemic colitis because of air embolism, 2 cases of gastric perforation, and single reports of mesenteric venous thrombosis, diaphragmatic rupture, and esophageal variceal bleeding. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] The diagnosis of DCI is clinical, although laboratory abnormalities such as elevated creatinine kinase, transaminases, and lactate dehydrogenase are often noted. 13 To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of esophageal injury because of diving-related complications.…”

Surgical approach for acute ischemic colitis after scuba diving: a case report

“…[13] It is rarely diagnosed as ischemic colitis after diving and extremely rarely progresses to full-thickness necrosis. [14]…”

Nonthrombotic Pulmonary Embolism: A Potential Complication of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Cosmetic Injection

“…It indicates the need for detailed history taking and thorough physical examination. Furthermore, laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic investigations hold particular importance to reach an accurate diagnosis [ 16 , 17 ]. Radiologic manifestations such as lung opacities and indications of embolism prompt physicians to seek pathologic analysis.…”