Pulmonary barotrauma and arterial gas embolism caused by an emphysematous bulla in a SCUBA diver.

A 23-year-old female self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diver developed central nervous symptoms and signs of arterial gas embolism when surfacing after 15 min at a depth of 18 m. The dive had been performed according to normal procedure. In the hospital, chest X-ray and computer tomography of the chest showed a large emphysematous bulla in the left hemithorax.

Effects of withdrawal of sustained-release theophylline in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

In a double-blind, cross-over study, sustained-release theophylline was withdrawn to determine whether the drug was still effective after long-term treatment. Twenty adult out-patients with stable, chronic obstructive lung disease and who had been on continuous long-term treatment for at least 6 months, were studied. Lung function, plasma theophylline concentration, symptom score, number of nocturnal dyspnoea attacks, requirement for additional beta 2-stimulant aerosol, and side effects, were recorded before withdrawal, after withdrawal and after reinstitution of treatment.

ECG recording in emergency home visits.

During the first half of 1974, 756 emergency home calls have been made by 6 doctors in the City of Oslo. A portable ECG instrument was available at all visits. The visits were unselected as regards complaints.