Neurological Conditions at Altitude That Fall Outside the Usual Definition of Altitude Sickness

Abstract

Altitude sickness in its commonly recognized forms consists of acute mountain sickness and the two life-threatening forms, high altitude cerebral and pulmonary edema. Less well known are other conditions, chiefly neurological, that may arise completely outside the usual definition of altitude sickness. These, often focal, neurological conditions are important to recognize so that they do not become categorized as altitude sickness because, besides oxygen and descent, treatment may be vastly different. Transient ischemic attacks, cerebral venous thrombosis, seizures, syncope, double vision, and scotomas are some of the well-documented neurological disturbances at high altitude discussed here in order to enhance their recognition and treatment.