A scuba diver faced a rare life-threatening blood syndrome after exploring an underwater cave due to decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends." This syndrome occurs when air bubbles form in the blood during the transition from high pressure at depth to low pressure at the surface.
The usual symptoms of decompression sickness encompass joint pain, dizziness, and severe fatigue, and it can lead to fatal outcomes. However, most individuals respond well to treatment, typically involving the use of a hyperbaric chamber with elevated pressure and oxygen supply.
Rare Deadly Blood Syndrome
A case study, titled "Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome Secondary to Decompression Sickness" published in the journal BMJ Case Reports, described how a scuba diver developed systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS), a life-threatening condition, following a deep cave dive.
The patient, a man in his 40s, experienced worsening shortness of breath after diving to depths of approximately 100 feet for around 40 minutes. Dr. Ali Ataya, an expert on capillary leak syndrome, treated the man and recognized the symptoms of SCLS, which involves severe inflammation causing blood vessels to leak a protein that keeps fluid inside the cells.
The researchers theorized that the ascent during decompression caused air bubbles to form, leading to a pro-inflammatory cascade in the blood vessels and increased permeability, Live Science reported.
This resulted in the leakage of protein and fluid, causing SCLS. While the syndrome is often fatal, prompt diagnosis and treatment by the medical team allowed the patient to recover and leave the hospital in just under a week.
Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, a professor in emergency medicine, emphasized the importance of awareness about potential complications associated with deep diving. SCLS can present with unclear symptoms, making it vital for physicians to consider it in cases of shock with an unknown cause. Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that millions of people safely engage in diving each year without experiencing this rare syndrome.
What Is Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome?
Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS), as per Cleveland Clinic, is a type of capillary leak syndrome that involves repeated episodes of blood or fluid leaking from the blood vessels into muscles, tissues, organs, and body cavities.
Systemic capillary leak syndrome is an uncommon disorder that impacts a relatively small number of individuals globally, with less than 500 reported cases worldwide.
It predominantly affects middle-aged individuals and is exceptionally rare in children. However, the actual incidence might be higher due to potential misdiagnoses, as individuals with this syndrome may not always receive accurate diagnoses.
The exact cause of systemic capillary leak syndrome remains uncertain. Researchers hypothesize that the condition could be triggered by an immune system response to an illness or infection.
Symptoms preceding a capillary leak syndrome episode typically manifest one or two days earlier in what is known as the prodromal phase. These symptoms may encompass abdominal or muscle pain, fatigue, headache, increased thirst, irritability, nausea, and a sudden increase in body weight.
During the actual episode of the leak or resuscitation phase, the symptoms can vary among individuals and may involve body swelling, particularly in the legs and arms, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and thickened blood due to elevated red blood cell count or elevated white blood cell count.
Cleveland Clinic advises to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of a capillary leak syndrome episode are observed. An early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and help manage symptoms effectively.
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