Neuropsychologic assessment of cerebral decompression sickness and gas embolism.

A battery of neuropsychologic tests was administered to individuals who had sustained CNS decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism. Testing was intended to assess the presence of residual cognitive impairment. Five clinical cases are presented in which information obtained through this testing played a determining role in the detection and treatment of residual cerebral dysfunction. Recovery of cerebral integrity was documented using the test battery. Even in the absence of clear signs from a standard neurologic examination, sufficient information was gathered by neuropsychologic testing to prompt recompression therapy. Temporary suppression of CNS symptoms by initial recompression was often observed, as documented by follow-up neurologic and neuropsychologic evaluations. Recovery of full cognitive functioning followed repeated hyperbaric treatments, suggesting that CNS insults may be more refractory to therapy than previously thought.