Loss of consciousness and seizure during normobaric hypoxia training.

Full Abstract

Loss of consciousness is a symptom with a broad differential diagnosis. Distinguishing between syncope and seizure in a patient with a history of loss of consciousness can be equally difficult as their presentation can be very similar. We present the case of a naval electronic countermeasures officer who experienced a loss of consciousness while undergoing hypoxia training with the reduced oxygen breathing device (ROBD). During the episode the patient experienced tonic-clonic contractions with subsequent vertebral fractures, resulting in a prolonged grounding period. The patient's work-up focused on ruling out inherent cardiac and neurologic etiologies. After extensive examination and consultation with neurology, the patient was diagnosed with hypoxia-induced seizure, but was not felt to have an underlying seizure disorder. After reviewing his case, the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute felt that this incident represented a physiologic event and not a medical condition inherent to the aviator. It was, therefore, determined that this episode was not considered disqualifying and did not require a waiver for return to duties involving flight. Our discussion details the appropriate work-up for loss of consciousness, examines possible physiologic explanations for this event, and describes aeromedical considerations. The authors include the patient's physiology instructor, one, of the primary witnesses for the event, and the patient's flight surgeon, who was extensively involved in his care.

Author information

Author/s: Moniaga, Natalie C (NC); Griswold, Cheryl A (CA);

Affiliation: Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA 98278, USA. natalie.moniaga(-atsign-)med.navy.mil

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article

Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine (Aviat Space Environ Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-May; vol 80 (issue 5) : pp 485-8

Dates: Created 2009/05/21; Completed 2009/06/18;

PMID: 19456012, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Aerospace Medicine - methods
Anoxia - complications; physiopathology
Humans

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