Citation

Schipke JD, Cleveland S, Drees M. Res. Sports Med. 2018; 26(1): 124-137.

Affiliation

Medical Office for Otorhinolaryngology and Diving Medicine , Wetzlar , Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15438627.2017.1365292

PMID

28797173

Abstract

About 50% of scuba divers have suffered from barotrauma of the ears and about one-third from barotrauma of paranasal sinuses. The sphenoid sinuses are rarely involved. Vital structures, as internal carotid artery and optic nerve, adjoin the sphenoid sinus. Thus, barotrauma could lead to serious neurologic disorders, including blindness. After searching the literature (Medline) and other sources (Internet), we present some cases of sphenoid sinus barotrauma, because these injuries may be underreported and misdiagnosed due to the lack of awareness and knowledge. Therefore, information is provided, e.g. on anatomical and pathophysiological features. Divers and physicians should have in mind that occasional headache during or after diving sometimes signals serious neurological disorders like vision loss. We show that injuries can develop from both negative and positive pressures in the sinuses. Because visual recovery depends on prompt diagnosis and proper therapy, physicians like otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and neurologists need to closely collaborate.

Language: en

Keywords

Barotrauma; diving; mucocele; sphenoid sinus; vision loss