I've been reading so much information on silent bubbles as of late. There's so much information/varibles, but from what I've gathered so far, there could be many implications (it can all be so confusing and almost overhelming not being a specialist in this). One of them was ischemic brain lesions in asymptomatic divers who had no history of DCS (apparently). Having said that, the majority of divers in the studies Ive read didnt have them [brain lesions], although a potentially alarming number did, when compared to non-divers.
silent bubbles
- Thread starter edylchtims
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
A 1997 study showing association of PFO with brain lesions in recreational divers:
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/374
A study from 1999 looking at brain lesions in experienced professional divers:
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/810
Interestingly, the control (non-diving) subjects had a higher incidence of brain lesions than the divers.
A study from 2004 that contradicts the 1997 study from above:
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/4017
A 2003 study that compares the brains of divers complaining of "forgetfulness" to other controls. This uses part of the ELTHI study from the UK.
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/1342
The whole ELTHI study (brain abnormalities are a part of this one):
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr230.pdf
A 2009 study from Turkey that found a positive association between diving and white matter lesions:
Cerebral white-matter lesions in asymptomatic mili... [Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009] - PubMed result
Another study (2004) looking at divers and controls, with and without PFO:
Relation between directly detected patent foramen ... [Ann Intern Med. 2001] - PubMed result
There's a lot of information out there. Much of it seems to point to increased brain abnormalities in divers vs. non-divers, but the populations (e.g. recreational divers vs. commercial divers) are different between the studies so you have to consider that as well. Some of the brain abnormalities have been correlated with a PFO. However, PFO is also associated with right-to-left shunting of microemboli (clots), which can happen in both divers and non-divers.
Dr. Powell already summarized the take-home point: work to minimize venous gas emboli. I'd also add: if you have a PFO and choose to continue diving, do so very conservatively.
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/374
A study from 1999 looking at brain lesions in experienced professional divers:
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/810
Interestingly, the control (non-diving) subjects had a higher incidence of brain lesions than the divers.
A study from 2004 that contradicts the 1997 study from above:
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/4017
A 2003 study that compares the brains of divers complaining of "forgetfulness" to other controls. This uses part of the ELTHI study from the UK.
Rubicon Research Repository: Item 123456789/1342
The whole ELTHI study (brain abnormalities are a part of this one):
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr230.pdf
A 2009 study from Turkey that found a positive association between diving and white matter lesions:
Cerebral white-matter lesions in asymptomatic mili... [Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009] - PubMed result
Another study (2004) looking at divers and controls, with and without PFO:
Relation between directly detected patent foramen ... [Ann Intern Med. 2001] - PubMed result
There's a lot of information out there. Much of it seems to point to increased brain abnormalities in divers vs. non-divers, but the populations (e.g. recreational divers vs. commercial divers) are different between the studies so you have to consider that as well. Some of the brain abnormalities have been correlated with a PFO. However, PFO is also associated with right-to-left shunting of microemboli (clots), which can happen in both divers and non-divers.
Dr. Powell already summarized the take-home point: work to minimize venous gas emboli. I'd also add: if you have a PFO and choose to continue diving, do so very conservatively.
Last edited:
Similar threads
