Decompression Sickness: MRI of the Spinal Cord

Abstract

Decompression sickness (DCS) typically causes changes in the white matter of the spinal cord on MR imaging. We present a case of DCS in a scuba diver with dorsal white matter lesions typical of venous infarction. In addition, some central gray matter involvement was noted. Characteristic features of venous spinal cord infarction can be recognized on MR imaging in DCS but may be more extensive in severe cases.