HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplementary video Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Permissions Request Permissions Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eichinger, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eichinger, M.

Lung hyperinflation: foe or friend?

¹ Dept of Radiology, German Cancer Research Centre, ⁶ Dept of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelburg, Depts of ² Pneumology, and ⁴ Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Freiburg, Freiburg, ³ Dept of Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, and ⁵ Dept of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.

CORRESPONDENCE: M. Eichinger, Dept of Radiology E010, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Fax: 49 6221422462. E-mail: m.eichinger{at}dkfz.de

Keywords: Breath-hold diving, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging, glossopharyngeal insufflation, hyperinflation, lung

Received: September 7, 2007
Accepted January 30, 2008

Breath-hold divers employ glossopharyngeal insufflation (GI) in order to prevent the lungs from compressing at great depth and to increase intrapulmonary oxygen stores, thus increasing breath-hold time.

The presented case study shows the physiological data and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) findings of acute hyperinflation, deliberately induced by GI, in a breath-hold diver and discusses the current state of knowledge regarding the associated hazards of this unique competitive sport.

Static and dynamic lung volumes and expiratory flows were within the normal range, with vital capacity and peak expiratory flow being higher than the predicted values. Airway resistance and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were normal. Static compliance was normal and increased five-fold with hyperinflation. dMRI revealed a preserved shape of the thorax and diaphragm with hyperinflation. A herniation of the lung beneath the sternum and enlargement of the costodiaphragmatic angle were additional findings during the GI manoeuvre. After expiration, complete resolution to baseline was demonstrated.

Hyperinflation can be physiological and even protective under abnormal physical conditions in the sense of acute adaptation to deep breath-hold diving. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging is adequate for visualisation of the sequence of the glossopharyngeal insufflation manoeuvre and the complete reversibility of deliberate hyperinflation.