[The value of ultrasonic detection of circulating bubbles in animal and man--the contribution to physiopathogenesis of a decompression accident].

The appearance of bubbles in the organism induces events which may lead to the symptom of decompression sickness. In order to detecting these bubbles and to attain a better understanding of their role, we investigated these problems in the mini-pork by using a measuring device based on the Doppler effect. The results show that any hyperbaric stress which oversteps a certain time or depth limit, gives rise to circulating bubbles in the venous system. We therefore developed a portable detector for humans, as well as a quotation method (KM code) for quantifying the different bubble loads. We thus could show that the appearance time for bubbles can be exceedingly long and that intra- and interindividual variability is very high. Bubbles detection is of predictive value and this factor has to be taken into account for possible neurologic injuries.