Altitude Decompression Sickness: Review of Concepts in Primary Care.

Altitude decompression sickness (DCS) was once a major cause of incapacitation in aviators. Preventive measures, including cabin pressurization and denitrogenation, have markedly reduced the incidence of altitude DCS. Most flight surgeons will now see only an infrequent case. Despite limited first-hand experience, the physician who cares for aviators must maintain expertise in the diagnosis and management of altitude DCS. The prognosis associated with expeditious primary care and prompt hyperbaric therapy is excellent. This paper reviews with the flight surgeon concepts in the primary care of altitude DCS. (Author)