R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Clinical Services

Center for Hyperbaric Medicine

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Guide

Established in 1965, the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Shock Trauma is internationally recognized for its leadership and expertise in the clinical application of hyperbaric therapy. With the only multiplace hyperbaric chamber in the State of Maryland, the Center can accommodate up to 23 patients and care providers per dive.

Conditions that are responsive to hyperbaric oxygen therapy include

Gas/air embolism and decompression illness
Carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation
Clostridial and nonclostridial gas gangrene, including necrotizing infections
Crush injury and acute traumatic ischemia
Compromised skin grafts and flaps
Acute blood loss anemia (particularly in Jehovah's Witnesses)
Osteomyelitis
Radiation tissue damage
Enhancement of healing in selected wound problems, such as nonhealing ulcers in patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease

Specialists at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center are available for consultation and patient referral 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ambulatory patients are evaluated in Shock Trauma's Outpatient Clinic on a scheduled basis.

Call University OneCall/Maryland ExpressCare at 1-800-373-4111 for easy access and no-hassle service.

Hyperbaric Medicine Faculty

Robert E. Rosenthal, M.D.
Chief, Hyperbaric Medicine
Professor of Surgery
Special Interests: Hyperbaric Medicine; Wound Healing; Driving Injuries; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Radiation Tissue Damage
Medical Degree: NYU School of Medicine, M.D.
Residencies: George Washington University - Internal Medicine
Certification: Emergency Medicine; Internal Medicine
410-328-6152 office

John S. Britten, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Special Interests: Ethical Issues; Inpatient Management; Hyperbaric Medicine; Soft Tissue Infections; Wound Healing Enhancements; Acute Trauma Ischemia; Air or Gas Embolism; Decompression Sickness; Gas Gangrene; Osteoradionecrosis; Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps
Medical Degree: Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons
Residency: Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, Medicine
Fellowship: Columbia University, Medicine and Physiology; Shock Trauma Center/University of Maryland Medical Center, Critical Care Medicine
Certification: Emergency Medicine; Internal Medicine; Critical Care Medicine; Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
410-328-6152 / academic office

Cynthia Cotto-Cumba, M.D.
Instructor of Surgery
Special Interests: Hyperbaric Medicine; Soft Tissue Infections; Wound Healing Enhancements
Medical Degree: University of Puerto Rico
Residency: Univ District Hospital and Affiliated Hospitals, Emergency Medicine
Fellowship: Shock Trauma Center/MIEMSS/ Univ of Maryland Medical Center, Hyperbaric Medicine
Certification: Emergency Medicine; Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
410-328-6152 office

This page was last updated on: March 8, 2009.

For all patient information, please call 410-328-9284.