Histopathological Study of the Bone Marrow of Rabbit Femora with Experimentally Induced Acute Decompression Sickness : with consideration of pathogenesis of dysbaric osteonecrosis in diver's femur

Experimental data that in an acute stage of decompression sickness (DCS) marked and extensive formation of gaseous bubbles in the sinusoids and extravascular spaces with frequent arterial and arteriolar collapse occurred in the bone marrow of the femora of rabbits is presented. Discussing the related evidence linking these observations with dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) in divers and caisson workers, intravascular and extravascular bubble formation may cause marked elevation of intraosseous pressure resulting in arterial collapse especially of the "watershed zones" which include the weight-bearing juxta-articular area and distal shaft area of the bone marrow of human femur. Disturbance in the venous return from the bone marrow due to extensive bubble embolization of the sinusoids should accentuate the elevation of the intraosseous pressure.* In this paper we use the term "watershed zone", which is often used in the field of Neuropathology, for the border or boundary zone between the teritories of two or more major arteries