Barotrauma
Barotrauma is physical damage to body tissues caused by a difference in pressure between a gas space inside, or in contact with the body, and the surrounding fluid.
Barotrauma typically occurs when the organism is exposed to a significant change in ambient pressure, such as when a scuba diver, a free-diver or an airplane passenger ascends or descends, or during uncontrolled decompression of a pressure vessel, but can also be caused by a shock wave. Whales and dolphins are also vulnerable to barotrauma if exposed to rapid and excessive changes in diving pressures.
Types of injury
Examples of organs or tissues easily damaged by barotrauma are:
middle ear (barotitis or aerotitis)
paranasal sinuses (causing Aerosinusitis)
lungs
eyes (the unsupportive air space is inside the diving mask)
skin (when wearing a diving suit which creates an air space)
brain and cranium (temporal lobe injury secondary to temporal bone rupture)
teeth (causing Barodontalgia, i.e. barometric pressure related dental pain, or dental fractures)
