Incidental peripheral reticulation in a high-frequency recreational diver

Abstract

Pulmonary barotrauma is a recognized complication of scuba diving, but the long-term pulmonary effects of repetitive subclinical pressure-related injury remain poorly understood. We report a 60-year-old male never-smoker with extensive recreational diving exposure (150–175 dives annually) who was referred for evaluation of incidentally discovered pulmonary nodules and peripheral reticulation on computed tomography (CT). The patient remained asymptomatic with preserved exercise tolerance and an unremarkable pulmonary examination. CT imaging demonstrated mild bilateral peripheral reticulation with subpleural predominance and stable pulmonary nodules without honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, or pneumothorax. Although causality cannot be established, chronic repetitive micro-barotrauma represents a biologically plausible mechanism. This case highlights the need for further investigation into the long-term pulmonary consequences of frequent scuba diving exposure.