The tenth European Consensus Conference on Hyperbaric Medicine took place in April 2016, attended by a large delegation of experts from Europe and elsewhere. The focus of the meeting was the revision of the European Committee on Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM) list of accepted indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), based on a thorough review of the best available research and evidence-based medicine (EBM). For this scope, the modified GRADE system for evidence analysis, together with the DELPHI system for consensus evaluation, were adopted. The indications for HBOT, including those promulgated by the ECHM previously, were analysed by selected experts, based on an extensive review of the literature and of the available EBM studies. The indications were divided as follows: Type 1, where HBOT is strongly indicated as a primary treatment method, as it is supported by sufficiently strong evidence; Type 2, where HBOT is suggested as it is supported by acceptable levels of evidence; Type 3, where HBOT can be considered as a possible/optional measure, but it is not yet supported by sufficiently strong evidence. For each type, three levels of evidence were considered: A, when the number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is considered sufficient; B, when there are some RCTs in favour of the indication and there is ample expert consensus; C, when the conditions do not allow for proper RCTs but there is ample and international expert consensus. For the first time, the conference also issued ‘negative’ recommendations for those conditions where there is Type 1 evidence that HBOT is not indicated. The conference also gave consensus-agreed recommendations for the standard of practice of HBOT.

Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine is published quarterly by the South Pacific Medicine Underwater Society and the European Underwater and Baromedical Society.

This review presents the current knowledge of the usage of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) in human and animal model studies. CFF has a wide application in different fields, especially as an indicator of cortical arousal and visual processing. In medicine, CFF may be helpful for diagnostic purposes, for example in epilepsy or minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Given the environmental studies and a limited number of other methods, it is applicable in diving and hyperbaric medicine. Current research also shows the relationship between CFF and other electrophysiological methods, such as electroencephalography. The human eye can detect flicker at 50–90 Hz but reports are showing the possibility to distinguish between steady and modulated light up to 500 Hz. Future research with the use of CFF is needed to better understand its utility and application.

Isoprostanes (IsoPs) are key biomarkers for investigating the role of free radical generation in the pathogenesis of human disorders. To solve IsoPs-related problems with regard to isoprostanes, analytical tools are required. This paper reviews the problems and trends in this field focusing on the methodology for assaying biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. A large amount of work has been done in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of IsoPs, but a standardized method has yet to emerge. The methodologies described differ, either in the sample preparation steps or in the detection techniques, or both. Requiring a number of chromatographic steps, the relevant extraction and purification procedures are often critical and time-consuming, and they lead to a substantial loss of target compounds. Recent data show that EBC is a promising non‑invasive tool for the evaluation of different diseases. Two main analytical approaches have been adopted for IsoPs measurement: immunological methods and mass spectrometry. The methodologies for the extraction, purification and analysis of IsoPs in EBC samples are presented.Isoprostanes (IsoPs) are key biomarkers for investigating the role of free radical generation in the pathogenesis of human disorders. To solve IsoPs-related problems with regard to isoprostanes, analytical tools are required. This paper reviews the problems and trends in this field focusing on the methodology for assaying biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples. A large amount of work has been done in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of IsoPs, but a standardized method has yet to emerge. The methodologies described differ, either in the sample preparation steps or in the detection techniques, or both. Requiring a number of chromatographic steps, the relevant extraction and purification procedures are often critical and time-consuming, and they lead to a substantial loss of target compounds. Recent data show that EBC is a promising non‑invasive tool for the evaluation of different diseases. Two main analytical approaches have been adopted for IsoPs measurement: immunological methods and mass spectrometry. The methodologies for the extraction, purification and analysis of IsoPs in EBC samples are presented.

Objectives: We investigated prognostic factors in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods: Our study group consisted of 133 patients with SSNHL who were treated at our department between 1980 and 2000. Eighty-one of them (group B) were treated between 1980 and 1996; they received vasodilators and small doses of steroids. The others (52 patients; group A) were treated between 1997 and 2000; they received vasodilators, steroids at high doses, and hyperbaric oxygen. A multivariate stepwise linear regression was used to identify the prognostic factors that were related to hearing improvement as measured by objective change of gain in the overall average (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 kHz), the pure tone average (0.5, 1, 2 kHz), the high tone average (4, 6, 8 kHz), and the pure middle tone average (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz). The following factors were included in the analysis: group (method of treatment), age, gender, seasonal occurrence of disease, presence of tinnitus and vestibular symptoms, time delay before first visit, type of initial audiogram, and type of caloric reaction. In group A, an additional analysis was conducted to include the results of certain laboratory tests: blood morphology parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glucose level, coagulogram, lipidogram, thyroid-stimulating hormone, autoantibodies (antimitochondrial antibodies, smooth muscle antibodies, and anti-brush border antibodies), and immunoglobulins G, A, and M. Values for p of less than .05 were considered significant. Results: Our analysis suggests the presence of the following prognostic factors for SSNHL: method of SSNHL treatment (better results in group A); time delay before the start of treatment (better results when treatment started within 10 days of the first symptoms of SSNHL); and type of caloric reactions (worse results in patients with canal paresis). In group A, the factors for poor prognosis for absolute hearing improvement were as follows: delayed treatment, labyrinth responsiveness disorders, and decreased level of thyroid-stimulating hormone. In group A, better hearing improvement was observed in those patients in whom SSNHL was diagnosed in the spring. Conclusions: A short time delay before starting treatment (within 10 days), treatment with high doses of steroids and hyperbaric oxygen, preserving complete caloric function of the labyrinths, normal function of the thyroid, and seasonal occurrence of the disease in the spring were positive prognostic factors for hearing recovery in SSNHL.