Linér Mats H, Andersson Johan P A
Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2010 Jan;81(1):74-6. doi: 10.3357/asem.2571.2010.
Many competitive breath-hold divers employ the technique of glossopharyngeal insufflation in order to increase their lung gas volume for a dive. After a maximal inspiration, using the oral and pharyngeal muscles repeatedly, air in the mouth is compressed and forced into the lungs. Such overexpansion of the lungs is associated with a high transpulmonary pressure, which could possibly cause pulmonary barotrauma.
We report a case of transient neurological signs and symptoms occurring within 1 min after glossopharyngeal insufflation in a breath-hold diver. He complained of paresthesia of the right shoulder and a neurological exam revealed decreased sense of touch on the right side of the neck as compared to the left side. Motor function was normal. The course of events in this case is suggestive of arterial gas embolism.
Although the diver recovered completely within a few minutes, the perspective of a more serious insult raises concerns in using the glossopharyngeal insufflation technique. In addition to a neurological insult, damage to other organs of the body has to be considered. Both acute and long-term negative health effects are conceivable.
许多竞技性屏气潜水者采用舌咽吹气技术，以便在潜水时增加肺内气体量。在最大吸气后，反复运用口腔和咽部肌肉，口腔内的空气被压缩并被压入肺部。肺部的这种过度扩张与高跨肺压相关，这可能会导致肺气压伤。
我们报告一例屏气潜水者在进行舌咽吹气后1分钟内出现短暂神经症状和体征的病例。他主诉右肩部感觉异常，神经系统检查显示右侧颈部触觉较左侧减退。运动功能正常。该病例的事件过程提示为动脉气体栓塞。
尽管该潜水者在几分钟内完全康复，但考虑到可能出现更严重损伤，使用舌咽吹气技术令人担忧。除了神经损伤外，还必须考虑身体其他器官的损害。急性和长期的负面健康影响都是可以想象的。
