To cite: O’Leary CN, Ryan JW, Corbett G, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2016-217518 DESCRIPTION An elderly patient was admitted for a coronary artery bypass graft. The postoperative course was complicated by decompensated atrial fibrillation requiring repeat endotracheal intubation. On examination subcutaneous emphysema was noted, which pr...

Study objectives: Pulmonary barotrauma (PBT) of ascent is a feared complication in compressed air diving. Although certain respiratory conditions are thought to increase the risk of suffering PBT and thus should preclude diving, in most cases of PBT, risk factors are described as not being present. The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors that possibly cause PBT. Design: We analyzed 15 ...

OBJECTIVES Treatment of traumatic perilymph fistula (PLF) remains controversial between surgical repair and conservative therapy. The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes of early surgical exploration in suspected barotraumatic PLF. METHODS Nine patients (10 cases) who developed sudden sensorineural hearing loss and dizziness following barotrauma and underwent surgical exploration wit...

BACKGROUND Transtracheal jet ventilation (TTJV) is recommended in several airway guidelines as a potentially life-saving procedure during the 'Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate' (CICO) emergency. Some studies have questioned its effectiveness. METHODS Our goal was to determine the complication rates of TTJV in the CICO emergency compared with the emergency setting where CICO is not described (no...

objectives: microtia is the most commonly seen congenital ear defect, and involves an auricular deformity either unilaterally or bilaterally. the aim of this study was to fabricate silicone prostheses for a child with bilateral microtia using an innovative technique. methods: this method involved the construction of bilateral ear prostheses using clips, which were located within the layers of t...

Decompression sickness occurs when a sufficiently large gas phase forms within the tissues of the body after a reduction in ambient pressure. Arterial gas embolism occurs secondary to pulmonary barotrauma when gas is forced into the pulmonary vasculature. Although they may clinically present in a similar fashion, the underlying pathophysiology of the two conditions is quite different.