Table 1.

Long-term outcomes of 209 divers with cerebral decompression sickness.

		1st DCS (n = 125)	2nd DCS (n = 70)	3rd DCS (n = 14)	p
Dives/year		40 ± 2.7 [5–168, median 34]	70 ± 8.1 [25–200, median 60]	74 ± 8.9 [20–125, median 77]	<0.0001
Treatment received		1 ± 0.07 USN TT6 [0–2, median 1]	1 ± 0.14 USN TT6 [0–2, median 1]	1 ± 0.17 USN TT6 [0–2, median 1]	0.75
		7 ± 0.8 HBOT [0–20, median 6]	11 ± 1.3 HBOT [4–18, median 10]	8 ± 1 HBOT [2–12, median 8]	0.04
Outcome	Complete resolution	73.6%	27.1%	0%
	Mild residual symptoms	19.2%	57.1%	85.7%	0.08
	Severe residual symptoms	7.2%	15.7%	14.3%
Resume diving		81.6%	84.3%	0%	NA
Delay to resume diving		4.2 ± 0.7 months [0.5–15, median 5]	3.5 ± 0.6 months [1–8, median 5.5]	NA	0.97

Mild residual symptoms are mild paresthesia, weakness, residual pain or some impairment of daily activities. Severe residual symptoms are difficulty walking, paralysis, uncompensated vertigo, or speech disorders. USN TT6, US Navy Treatment Table 6, i.e., 2.8 ATA, 100% oxygen for 285 min with air break. HBOT, Hyperbaric oxygen session 2.5 ATA, 100% of oxygen for 70 min without air break. Data are presented as mean ± standard error on mean (SEM).