Imaging Science in Dentistry

Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (대한영상치의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Maxillary sinus volumetric changes in jet aircraft pilots: A multislice computed tomography pilot study

  • Received : 2022.10.05
  • Accepted : 2022.11.16
  • Published : 2023.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated maxillary sinus volume changes in military jet aircraft pilot candidates before and after the training program, in comparison with a control group, considering the effects of pressurization, altitude, and total flight hours, through multislice computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Fifteen fighter pilots were evaluated before initiating the training program and after the final approval. The control group consisted of 41 young adults who had not flown during their military career. The volumes of each maxillary sinus were measured individually before and at the end of the training program. Results: When comparing the initial and final volumes in the pilots, a statistically significant increase was observed both in the left and right maxillary sinuses. When evaluating the average total volume of the maxillary sinuses(i.e., the average volume of the right and left maxillary sinuses together), a significant increase in the volume of the maxillary sinuses was observed in the pilot group when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The maxillary sinus volumes in aircraft pilot candidates increased after the 8-month training program. This may be explained by changes in the gravitational force, the expansion of gas, and positive pressure from oxygen masks. This unprecedented investigation among pilots might lead to other investigations considering paranasal sinus alterations in this singular population.

Keywords

References

  1. Munhoz L, Abdala Junior R, Abdala R, Arita ES. Diffusionweighted magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses: a systematic review. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2018; 126: 521-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2018.07.004
  2. Sharan A, Madjar D. Maxillary sinus pneumatization following extractions: a radiographic study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2008; 23: 48-56.
  3. Lorkiewicz-Muszynska D, Kociemba W, Rewekant A, Sroka A, Jonczyk-Potoczna K, Patelska-Banaszewska M, et al. Development of the maxillary sinus from birth to age 18. Postnatal growth pattern. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 79: 1393-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.05.032
  4. Thomas A, Raman R. A comparative study of the pneumatization of the mastoid air cells and the frontal and maxillary sinuses. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1989; 10(5 Suppl): S88.
  5. Numa WA, Desai U, Gold DR, Heher KL, Annino DJ. Silent sinus syndrome: a case presentation and comprehensive review of all 84 reported cases. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2005; 114: 688-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/000348940511400906
  6. Cakar M, Metin S, Balta S, Ozturk C, Demirkol S, Cakmak T, et al. Military jet pilots have higher p-wave dispersions compared to the transport aircraft aircrew. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016; 29: 563-72. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00556
  7. Shiri R, Frilander H, Sainio M, Karvala K, Sovelius R, Vehmas T, et al. Cervical and lumbar pain and radiological degeneration among fighter pilots: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Occup Environ Med 2015; 72: 145-50. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102268
  8. Yilmaz U, Cetinguc M, Akin A. Visual symptoms and G-LOC in the operational environment and during centrifuge training of Turkish jet pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med 1999; 70: 709-12.
  9. Tune JD. Control of coronary blood flow during hypoxemia. Adv Exp Med Biol 2007; 618: 25-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-75434-5_3
  10. Verde P, Trivelloni P, Angelino G, Morgagni F, Tomao E. Neck pain in F-16 vs. Typhoon fighter pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2015; 86: 402-6. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.4063.2015
  11. Yoshida Y. Aerosiniusitis - an experience of treatment of two cases. Jap Soc Med Traumatol 2003; 51: 71-84.
  12. Weitzel EK, McMains KC, Rajapaksa S, Wormald PJ. Aerosinusitis: pathophysiology, prophylaxis, and management in passengers and aircrew. Aviat Space Envirom Med 2008; 79: 50-3. https://doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.2203.2008
  13. Prisk GK. Microgravity and the respiratory system. Eur Respir J 2014; 43: 1459-71. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00001414
  14. Xu X, Ma X, Zhang Y, Xiong W. Comparative analysis on data of nasal sinus between helicopter and (strike) fighter pilots under physical examination for change to new-type aircraft. Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2012; 26: 62-4.
  15. Rosenkvist L, Klokker M, Katholm M. Upper respiratory infections and barotraumas in commercial pilots: a retrospective survey. Aviat Space Environ Med 2008; 79: 960-3. https://doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.2287.2008
  16. Costa AD, Souza-Santos ER. Embraer, historia, desenvolvimento de tecnologia e a area de defesa. Econom Tecnol 2010; 22: 173-83.
  17. Fedorov A, Beichel R, Kalpathy-Cramer J, Finet J, Fillion-Robin JC, Pujol S, et al. 3D Slicer as an image computing platform for the Quantitative Imaging Network. Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 30: 1323-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mri.2012.05.001
  18. Spaeth J, Krugelstein U, Schlondorff G. The paranasal sinuses in CT-imaging: development from birth to age 25. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1997; 39: 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-5876(96)01458-9
  19. Lurie O, Zadik Y, Einy S, Tarrasch R, Raviv G, Goldstein L. Bruxism in military pilots and non-pilots: tooth wear and psychological stress. Aviat Space Environ Med 2007; 78: 137-9.
  20. Chumbley EM, O'Hair N, Stolfi A, Lienesch C, McEachen JC, Wright BA. Home cervical traction to reduce neck pain in fighter pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2016; 87: 1010-5. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.4625.2016
  21. Yang XE, Chen ZG, Long L, Zhai DS, Zhao XJ, Fang RY. Heart morphologic state in retired fighter pilots. Space Med Med Eng (Beijing) 2000; 13: 440-3.
  22. Schreinemakers JR, van Amerongen P, Kon M. Acquired nasal deformities in fighter pilots. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2010; 63: 1217-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2009.10.030
  23. Newman DG, Callister R. Cardiovascular training effects in fighter pilots induced by occupational high G exposure. Aviat Space Environ Med 2008; 79: 774-8.
  24. Rice GM, Snider D, Moore JL, Lavan JT, Folga R, VanBrunt TB. Evidence for -Gz adaptation observed with wearable biosensors during high performance jet flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2016; 87: 996-1003. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.4609.2016
  25. West JB. The original presentation of Boyle's law. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1999; 87: 1543-5. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1999.87.4.1543
  26. Love JT Jr, Caruso VG. Civilian air travel and the otolaryngologist. Laryngoscope 1978; 88: 1732-42. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-197811000-00002
  27. Jamil RT, Reilly A, Cooper JS. Sinus Squeeze. 2022 Aug 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan.