Hamilton-Farrell M, Bhattacharyya A, et al.
Injury. Date of publication 2004 Apr 1;volume 35(4):359-70.
1. Injury. 2004 Apr;35(4):359-70. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2003.08.020.
Barotrauma.
Hamilton-Farrell M(1), Bhattacharyya A.
Author information:
(1)Department of Hyperbaric Medicine, Whipps Cross University Hospital,
Leytonstone, London E11 1NR, UK. martin.hamilton-farrell@whippsx.nhs.uk
Barotrauma is pressure-induced injury. The application of direct pressure to the
body may cause trauma, including positive pressure from artificial ventilation.
Trauma may also be caused by the effects of pressure changes on gas-containing
body spaces, not in communication with the environment. This can include the
external ear, the middle ear (and, indirectly, the inner ear), the para-nasal
sinuses, the lungs, the gut, and abscess cavities (for example, in the teeth).
Gas may penetrate tissues adjoining the affected space (such as the anterior
cranial fossa, via the ethmoid sinus), or may embolise via the blood stream. The
most severe expression of this is cerebral arterial gas embolism, which may
present as a stroke. The management of these problems includes prevention, the
use of pressure-equalizing techniques, vasoconstrictor drugs, surgery, and
hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2003.08.020
PMID: 15037370 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
