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Cutis Marmorata in Decompression Sickness

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  • Vasileios N. Kalentzos, M.D., M.P.H.

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A 38-year-old man was transferred to the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Unit with decompression sickness 9 hours after a deep scuba dive to 54 m (177 ft). During the ascent, he had omitted decompression stops. On physical examination, there was evidence of paraparesis, hypoesthesia, and urinary retention associated with spinal cord involvement, as well as a characteristic rash (cutis marmorata) on the thighs and torso. Cutis marmorata is a dermal manifestation of decompression sickness. Initially, there is erythema accompanied by pruritus, and then the rash spreads irregularly and deepens in color. It develops a mottled appearance, with areas of pallor . . .

Vasileios N. Kalentzos, M.D., M.P.H.
Naval and Veterans Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece

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