Scuba diving is known to affect the rhino-pharyngo-tubaric district (RPT unit). The aim of the study was to document function modifications of the RPT unit in 6 Italian divers (3 men and 3 women) who lived for 14 days consecutively at a depth of 8-10 m, breathing air (21% oxygen) at a pressure ranging between 1.8 and 2 ATA. RPT and inner ear assessment were carried out before the dive (TIME 0) and 24 h (TIME 1) after resurfacing, in order to investigate diving-related RPT and inner ear alterations. Physical examination after resurfacing revealed: fungal external otitis, otoscopic findings consistent with middle ear barotraumas and rhinosinusitis. Rhino-manometry showed a remarkable increase in inspiratory nasal flow and a substantial decrease in nasal resistance. No epithelial cell disruption was retrieved comparing pre and post resurfacing samples. Post-diving tubaric dysfunction was found. Pure tone audiometry revealed a bilateral 40 dB HL hearing loss at 4 kHz in 1 diver. Relevant PTA functions did not seem to be affected by the experiment, no remarkable changes were found at the Sensory Organisation Test and at the Motor Control Test. The 14-day underwater period had a positive effect on nasal flows and resistances.

Revelli, L., D'Alatri, L., Scorpecci, A., D'Amore, A., De Corso, E., Lombardi, C. P., Fetoni, A. R., ENT function in a 14-days guinness scuba dive, <<INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE>>, 2012; 33 (1): 31-35. [doi:10.1055/s-0031-1283187] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/5061]

ENT function in a 14-days guinness scuba dive

Revelli, Luca;D'Alatri, Lucia;Scorpecci, Alessandro;D'Amore, Annamaria;De Corso, Eugenio;Lombardi, Celestino Pio;Fetoni, Anna Rita
2012

Abstract

Scuba diving is known to affect the rhino-pharyngo-tubaric district (RPT unit). The aim of the study was to document function modifications of the RPT unit in 6 Italian divers (3 men and 3 women) who lived for 14 days consecutively at a depth of 8-10 m, breathing air (21% oxygen) at a pressure ranging between 1.8 and 2 ATA. RPT and inner ear assessment were carried out before the dive (TIME 0) and 24 h (TIME 1) after resurfacing, in order to investigate diving-related RPT and inner ear alterations. Physical examination after resurfacing revealed: fungal external otitis, otoscopic findings consistent with middle ear barotraumas and rhinosinusitis. Rhino-manometry showed a remarkable increase in inspiratory nasal flow and a substantial decrease in nasal resistance. No epithelial cell disruption was retrieved comparing pre and post resurfacing samples. Post-diving tubaric dysfunction was found. Pure tone audiometry revealed a bilateral 40 dB HL hearing loss at 4 kHz in 1 diver. Relevant PTA functions did not seem to be affected by the experiment, no remarkable changes were found at the Sensory Organisation Test and at the Motor Control Test. The 14-day underwater period had a positive effect on nasal flows and resistances.
2012
Inglese
Revelli, L., D'Alatri, L., Scorpecci, A., D'Amore, A., De Corso, E., Lombardi, C. P., Fetoni, A. R., ENT function in a 14-days guinness scuba dive, <<INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE>>, 2012; 33 (1): 31-35. [doi:10.1055/s-0031-1283187] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/5061]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/5061
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