Glossary
Pneumothorax
A collapsed lung — the one absolute contraindication to HBOT.
A pneumothorax is air trapped between the lung and chest wall, collapsing the lung. An untreated pneumothorax is the single absolute contraindication to hyperbaric therapy, because pressure changes can turn it into a life-threatening tension pneumothorax.
More terms
ATA
Atmospheres Absolute — the unit of pressure used in hyperbaric medicine.
Isopression
The steady middle phase of a session at full treatment pressure.
Monoplace chamber
A single-patient hyperbaric chamber pressurized with oxygen.
Marx protocol
The staged HBOT-and-surgery approach for osteoradionecrosis of the jaw.