Migraine‐like phenomena after decompression from hyperbaric environment

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Abstract
A migraine-like syndrome has been observed in 4 medical personnel, immediately after returning to normal atmospheric pressures from simulated depths of 68 to 135 ft. below sea level in a hyperbaric chamber. Each of these subjects developed scintillating scotomas, sometimes followed by headaches, paresthesias, and focal electroencephalographic abnormalities corresponding to the appropriate cerebral hemisphere. The mechanisms underlying the cerebrovascular phenomena in these subjects are unknowm, but factors other than intravascular bubble formation seem likely. The fact that three of these subjects gave a past history of vascular headaches of the migraine type suggests that such individuals are highly sensitive to cerebral vasomotor stimuli. Their reaction to biologic and psychologic stresses associated with hyperbaric exposure is thus similar to their responses to various life situations and stresses.