Acute Otitic Barotrauma During Hypobaric Chamber Training: Prevalence And Prevention

Landolfi, Angelo; Torchia, Francesco; Autore, Alberto; Appiani, Mario Ciniglio; Morgagni, Fabio; Appiani, Giuseppe Ciniglio

doi:10.3357/asem.2599.2009

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Prevalence estimations vary significantly. The lowest numbers, 1.5 -2.4%, have been reported in pressure chamber measurements of Italian military personnel 16,20 , while a prevalence of 4.1% has been reported in Japanese pilots 23 . In contrast, 37.6 -55.5% of Danish commercial pilots have reported at least one ME barotrauma during their career 5,25 and in other publications, 41.0 -84.0% of airline passengers have reported similar symptoms 18,30 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Middle Ear Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

Lindfors¹,

Ketola²,

Klockars³

et al. 2021

aerosp med hum perform

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BACKGROUND: Middle ear (ME) barotraumas are the most common condition in aviation medicine, sometimes seriously compromising flight safety. Considering this and the ever-increasing amount of commercial aviation, a detailed overview is warranted.METHODS: In this survey study, an anonymous, electronic questionnaire was distributed to commercial aircrew of the three major commercial airlines operating in Finland (N 3799), covering 93% of the target population (i.e., all commercial aircrew operating in Finland, N 4083). Primary outcomes were self-reported prevalence, clinical characteristics, and health and occupational effects of ME barotraumas in flight. Secondary outcomes were adjusted odds ratios (OR) for frequency of ME barotraumas with respect to possible risk factors.RESULTS: Response rate was 47% (N 1789/3799), with 85% (N 1516) having experienced ME barotraumas in flight. Of those affected, 60% had used medications, 5% had undergone surgical procedures, and 48% had been on sick leave due to ME barotraumas (40% during the last year). Factors associated with ME barotraumas included a high number of upper respiratory tract infections [3 URTIs/yr vs. 0 URTIs/yr: OR, 9.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9920.39] and poor subjective performance in Valsalva (occasionally vs. always successful: OR, 7.84; 95% CI 3.9715.51) and Toynbee (occasionally vs. always successful: OR, 9.06; 95% CI 2.6730.78) maneuvers.CONCLUSION: ME barotraumas were reported by 85% of commercial aircrew. They lead to an increased need for medications, otorhinolaryngology-related surgical procedures, and sickness absence from flight duty. Possible risk factors include a high number of URTIs and poor performance in pressure equalization maneuvers.Lindfors OH, Ketola KS, Klockars TK, Leino TK, Sinkkonen ST. Middle ear barotraumas in commercial aircrew. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):182189.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Middle Ear Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

Lindfors¹,

Ketola²,

Klockars³

et al. 2021

aerosp med hum perform

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“…Therefore, to assert that an ETD is present and to evaluate the probability of barotitis during flight, the dynamic function of ET patency should be tested with specific tests during simulated flights as in a pressure chamber [22,23]. A study of 335 military pilots carried out to evaluate the Eustachian Tube functionality in hypobaric chamber has shown that some of them had barotitis even if their otoscopical evaluation and tympanogram were normal [24]. This situation could be related to a very slight obstruction of the tube lumen due to focal inflammation not detectable by either otoscopy or tympanometry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permanent eustachian tube dysfunction in cabin crew member: Case report and narrative review

Martino

2023

Open J Clin Med Images

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“…Sporadic or prolonged exposure to these agents can damage the health of workers. One of the most common health problems associated with the aviation profession is middle-ear barotrauma, defined as inflammation of the tympanic membrane and middleear cavity due to differences in pressure between the cavity and external atmospheric pressure, a phenomenon also associated with diving or hyperbaric oxygen therapy [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Physical Agents as Occupational Risk Factors

Russo¹,

Marqueze²,

Furst³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The primary objective of this systematic review was to analyze the main physical agents representing risk factors for commercial aircrew, together with their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies on the topic were conducted, as well as the quality of the publications available. Thirty-five articles, published between 1996 and 2020, were selected for the review, having met all inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States, Germany and Finland and had moderate or low methodological quality of evidence. The main risk factors for aircrew identified in publications were exposure to abnormal air pressure, cosmic radiation, noise, and vibrations. Hypobaric pressure was explored in response to demands for studies on this agent, a factor which may lead to otic and ear barotraumas, as well as acceleration of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. However, there is a dearth of research exploring this phenomenon.

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Acute Otitic Barotrauma During Hypobaric Chamber Training: Prevalence And Prevention

Abstract: The prevalence of barotitis after hypobaric chamber training is low in our study, suggesting that a pre-chamber medical check including clinical examination and tympanometry could be effective in identifying subjects at risk.

Cited by 8 publications

References 6 publications

Middle Ear Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

Middle Ear Barotraumas in Commercial Aircrew

Permanent eustachian tube dysfunction in cabin crew member: Case report and narrative review

Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Physical Agents as Occupational Risk Factors

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