Experience of carbon monoxide poisoning treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and steroid pulse therapy: a case report

Delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning remain a significant problem. A 50-year-old man was admitted to his base hospital with an impaired consciousness level (day X). His Glasgow Coma Scale score was 3, and the fraction of carboxyhaemoglobin on arterial blood gas analysis was 51.2%. He was referred to our hospital for treatment with a diagnosis of CO poisoning. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and steroid pulse therapy (SPT). On day X + 3, his level of consciousness noticeably improved. The patient was discharged on day X + 14. Outpatient follow-up was conducted, and the patient had no complications, including DNS, until day X + 49. This case suggests that the combination of SPT and HBOT may not only improve acute neurological recovery but also help prevent the development of DNS after CO poisoning.