RESUMO
Introduction Jet aircraft pilots are exposed to huge pressure variation during flight, which affect physiological functions as systems, such as the respiratory system. Objectives The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate inflammatory changes of paranasal sinuses of jet aircraft pilots before and after a jet aircraft training program, using multislice computed tomography (CT), in comparison with a group of nonairborne individuals with the same age, sex, and physical health conditions. A second objective of the present study was to assess the association between the ostiomeatal complex obstruction and its anatomical variations. Methods The study group consisted of 15 jet aircraft pilots participating in the training program. The control group consisted of 41 nonairborne young adults. The 15 fighter pilots were evaluated before initiating the training program and after their final approval for the presence of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease. The ostiomeatal complex anatomical variations and obstructions were analyzed in pilots after the training program. Results Jet aircraft pilots presented higher incidence of mucosal thickening in maxillary sinus and anterior ethmoid cells than controls. Prominent ethmoidal bulla showed significant association with obstruction of the osteomeatal complex. Conclusions Jet aircraft pilots present increased inflammatory disease when compared with nonairborne individuals. The presence of a prominent ethmoidal bulla is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction.
RESUMO
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.
