barotrauma /ber′ōtrô″mə, -trou″mə/ [Gk, baros + trauma, wound] , physical injury sustained as a result of exposure to changing air pressure, or rupture of the tympanic membranes, as may occur among scuba divers or caisson workers or anyone near dynamite or gas explosions. Barotrauma may be iatrogenic as in the case of excessive ventilator pressures leading to lung injury. Compare decompression sickness.
