異常氣壓作業環境與異壓性骨壞死之描述型研究

Due to the recurrent decompression sickness (DCS) and recurrent symptoms after decompression therapy, we collected 204 cases those who have been in the compressed air working environment since Mar. 1994 to Mar. 1997. Most of the cases received the checkup of long bone X-ray, 140 cases; Tc-99m MOP whole body bone scan (WBS), 186 cases; or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 33 cases. The results of this study showed that the incidence of dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is 15.2 per cent. As the increased indexes such as the maximum pressure of single exposure, the total times of exposure, and total time of exposure, the increased incidence of DON is noted. There was no DON finding when the time of single exposure less than 3 hours. The sites of bone lesions are highest in the proximal end and distal end near the knee joint (16 lesions, 32.7 per cent out of total DON separately). There was 11 cases (36.7 per cent out of total of DON) showed that no any clinical symptoms. For the secure of compressed air worker, we suggested that the long bone X-ray or whole body bone scan should be performed in the beginning of compressed air working, annual health survey by WBS is necessary during the working period, WBS to find early stage of DON and MRI to diagnose the DON certainly. However the work within compressed air environment should be stopped and the long-term HBO (hyperbaric oxygen) therapy should be performed to subside the clinical symptoms and contract the bone lesion in the early stage of DON.