What symptom often accompanies CNS manifestations in DCS?

In decompression sickness (DCS), central nervous system (CNS) manifestations can include a range of neurological symptoms that result from bubbles forming in the bloodstream during rapid decompression. One of the more common symptoms associated with CNS manifestations is visual disturbances. This can manifest as blurring of vision, double vision, or other sight-related issues.

The presence of visual disturbances highlights the serious nature of CNS involvement in DCS, as it indicates that the condition is affecting not just peripheral tissues but also critical functions related to the brain and optic pathways. Visual processing requires a complex interaction of various areas of the brain, and disruptions can signal significant underlying pathology associated with DCS.

While other symptoms like knee pain, nasal congestion, and drowsiness may occur in different contexts or conditions, they are not specifically noted as common accompanying symptoms of CNS manifestations in DCS. Knee pain is often associated with musculoskeletal forms of DCS rather than CNS effects, nasal congestion does not typically relate to decompression scenarios, and drowsiness can result from various factors but is not a defining characteristic of CNS symptoms in DCS. Therefore, visual disturbances are the key symptom that aligns specifically with CNS manifestations in the case of decompression sickness.