Title
Severe acute kidney injury caused by decompression sickness syndrome
Date Issued
01 May 2022
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Chishti E.A.
Edgington T.L.
Chishti A.A.
Neyra J.A.
University of Kentucky
Publisher(s)
Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle
Abstract
Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when divers are exposed to reduced barometric pressure during their ascent from depth. We report a case of DCS causing severe acute kidney injury (AKI) after an uneventful dive in which all decompression stops were made as instructed by a dive computer. A 26-year-old man presented with abdominal and bilateral flank pain ~ 24 hours after scuba diving to a depth of 23 m. Vitals and physical exam were unremarkable. Lab results revealed elevated serum creatinine at 2.3 mg/dL from a normal baseline and elevated blood urea nitrogen at 23 mg/dL. The patient was non-oliguric. Other biochemical parameters were unremarkable. Dipstick urinalysis showed presence of blood and 100 mg/dL proteinuria. Urine microscopy revealed hyaline casts and red blood cells ~ 16 – 30/HPF but no acanthocytes. Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was 340 mg/g. Renal ultrasound showed normal sized kidneys with increased cortical echogenicity, and computed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis showed bilateral striated nephrogram with delayed excretion, both radiographic signs of acute tubular necrosis. The patient received isotonic IV fluids and 5 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Symptomatic improvement was observed by day 3 of hospitalization with full recovery of kidney function after discharge. Due to a wide range of associated symptomology, a thorough and prompt evaluation is warranted in suspected cases of DCS, particularly if presentation is more than 24 hours following ascent.
Start page
298
End page
304
Volume
97
Issue
5
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Urología, Nefrología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85129345436
PubMed ID
Source
Clinical Nephrology
ISSN of the container
03010430
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus