Inflammatory Modifications in Paranasal Sinuses and Ostiomeatal Complex Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots: A Computed Tomography Study

TL;DR

Jet pilots experience more sinus inflammation and anatomical issues compared to non-pilots, likely due to pressure changes during flights.

Contribution

This study is the first to use CT scans to compare sinus inflammation and anatomical variations in jet pilots versus non-pilots.

Findings

Jet pilots had higher mucosal thickening in maxillary sinuses and anterior ethmoid cells compared to controls.

Prominent ethmoidal bulla was significantly associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction in pilots.

Abstract

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.

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