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van Riel L, van Hulst RA, van Hest L, van Moorselaar RJA, Boerrigter BG, Franken SM, Wolthuis RMF, Dubbink HJ, Marciniak SJ, Gupta N, van de Beek I, Houweling AC. Recommendations on scuba diving in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:1003-1008. [PMID: 37991821 PMCID: PMC10763569 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2284375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although very uncommon, severe injury and death can occur during scuba diving. One of the main causes of scuba diving fatalities is pulmonary barotrauma due to significant changes in ambient pressure. Pathology of the lung parenchyma, such as cystic lesions, might increase the risk of pulmonary barotrauma. AREAS COVERED Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), caused by pathogenic variants in the FLCN gene, is characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma, multiple lung cysts and spontaneous pneumothorax. Given the pulmonary involvement, in some countries patients with BHD are generally recommended to avoid scuba diving, although evidence-based guidelines are lacking. We aim to provide recommendations on scuba diving for patients with BHD, based on a survey of literature on pulmonary cysts and pulmonary barotrauma in scuba diving. EXPERT OPINION In our opinion, although the absolute risks are likely to be low, caution is warranted. Given the relative paucity of literature and the potential fatal outcome, patients with BHD with a strong desire for scuba diving should be informed of the potential risks in a personal assessment. If available a diving physician should be consulted, and a low radiation dose chest computed tomography (CT)-scan to assess pulmonary lesions could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. van Riel
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - RA. van Hulst
- Department of Hyperbaric Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - L. van Hest
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - RJA. van Moorselaar
- Department of Urology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - BG. Boerrigter
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - SM. Franken
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - RMF. Wolthuis
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - HJ. Dubbink
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - SJ. Marciniak
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Royal Papworth Hospital, Trumpington, Cambridge, UK
| | - N. Gupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - I. van de Beek
- Family Cancer Clinic, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - AC. Houweling
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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