Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy is the intermittent treatment of the entire body with 100% oxygen at greater than normal atmospheric pressures.  HBO increases the oxygen concentration in body tissues, even in tissues with reduced and/or impaired blood flow.

HBO Therapy is used in the treatment of patients with radiation injuries to the soft tissue and bone (“radionecrosis”).  Radionecrosis is an infrequent complication of radiation therapy, particularly patients undergoing high dose radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. 

Treatment is delivered in a specially-designed chamber.  Upon entering the chamber, patients breathe 100% oxygen and the pressure of the chamber is slowly increased above normal levels.  Treatment is repeated over several weeks.  Each treatment is referred to as a “dive”. 

The UCSD Department of Emergency Medicine offers HBO Therapy and has a number of experienced physicians with special training in HBO.

UCSD HBO Chamber (inside)

UCSD HBO Chamber (Control Panel Outside)

To learn more about HBO at UCSD check out the Department of Emergency Medicine website (http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/hyperbaric)

Additional information is available at the Hyperbaric Medicine website
www.hyperbaricmedicine.ca/