Neurosurgical patients have been mainly treated by
surgical procedures over the past decades. In addition, hyperbaric
oxygen (HBO)
therapy in neurosurgery has been used in patients with ischemic
cerebrovascular diseases,
head trauma, spinal damage, postoperative
brain edema and others. However, the main therapeutic methods for neurosurgical diseases have changed dramatically due to developments in radiological techniques, such as radiosurgery and intravascular surgery. With changes in therapeutic methods, HBO
therapy may become a very important treatment option for neurosurgical patients. For example, HBO
therapy combined with
radiotherapy (UOEH regimen) and
anticoagulant therapy appear to be very effective in the treatments of malignant
brain tumors and ischemic
cerebrovascular diseases, respectively. On the other hand, medical examinations under hyper- and hypobaric environments have not yet been fully studied in the central nervous system compared to those in the cardiopulmonary systems. Moreover, the mechanisms of cerebral lesions in
decompression sickness and acute
mountain sickness remain unclear. Clinical neurologic approaches are very important in these fields. Hence, clinicians and researchers skilled in both neurosurgery and hyperbaric medicine will be required for advanced treatment and preventive and industrial medicine.