[Otorhinolaryngologic disorders associated with diving]

Abstract

The number of Germans practicing sea diving has grown, so doctors are increasingly confronted with questions pertaining to diving. They concern not only patient fitness but also prevention and therapy of associated disorders and disease. This article describes predisposing factors and otologic, rhinologic, and laryngologic problems associated with diving. The most common medical problem is inflammation of the external auditory canal; the most common -Barotrauma is to the middle ear. Case studies are used to demonstrate these and other disorders associated with diving.