Key result
Rapid ascent in fatal scuba diving is linked to near-universal middle and inner ear damage.
Observational (n=11)
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Scuba diving has long been associated with otologic injuries; however, little is known about temporal bone pathology in diving-related deaths. We examined 18 temporal bones from 11 divers who died, primarily from complications of rapid ascent. Bleeding into the middle ear and mastoid air cells was nearly universal. Inner ear damage included hemorrhage around Reissner's membrane and the round window membrane and rupture of the utricle and saccule. Most of the observed inner ear damage was not surgically treatable.
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Antonelli et al. (1993) conducted an observational in Diving-related deaths (n=11). Fatal scuba diving (rapid ascent) was evaluated on Temporal bone pathology (middle and inner ear damage). Fatal scuba diving associated with rapid ascent resulted in nearly universal bleeding into the middle ear and mastoid air cells, alongside largely untreatable inner ear damage.
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