Vasculitis masquerading as neurologic decompression illness
Benton, P.J.; Smith, R.W.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Inc 23(3): 189-191
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1066-2936 PMID: 8931287 Document Number: 460700
An adult male diver developed limb pains and peripheral neurologic signs following a series of dives. He was treated for acute neurologic decompression illness (DCI) and responded well, but subsequently he deteriorated and developed features of a progressive multisystem disease. Investigation confirmed a clinical diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa complicated by a mononeuritis multiplex. Vasculitis is uncommon and its masquerade as neurologic DCI may be unique. However, this case empha-sizes the importance of careful clinical assessment and illustrates the potentially wide differential diagnosis of DCI.