[Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Illustrated by the treatment of a patient with retinitis pigmentosa].

A 26 year old man, who was physically fit and occupationally active but had retinitis pigmentosa and a slight hearing impairment, received hyperbaric oxygen treatment for 97 minutes at a pressure of 240 kPA for five days a week over a period of four weeks. After cessation of the treatment his lateral vision was found to be improved. The patient was examined both prior to and after the hyperbaric oxygen treatment to assess possible adverse effects. The examination consisted of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, audiometry and spirometry. The patient showed a reversible reduction in gas diffusion for CO (TLCO). No adverse effects on the central nervous system were found. He achieved higher scores in an intelligence test when retested. The gain was greater than usually found as a practice effect. The article discusses possible indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment.