engleski

Some Risk Factors for Barootitis Media in Aviators

Introduction: Barootitis media is a frequent reason for aviator's grounding. Preexisting medical conditions ( allergic rhinitis, acute upper respiratory infections), phase of flight, decent rate, oxygen use and weather conditions represent contibuting factors for otic barotrauma in aviators. Audiometry and timpanometry are reliable diagnostic methods. Methods: Data was collected in Institute of aviation medicine from March 2000. to March 2001. We analized medical records, audiometric and timpanometric findings as well as data related to type of aircraft, phase of flight and season of the year. We also analized duration of grounding due to barootitis media. Data was descriptevely examined. Results: Out of 200 aviators of different types of aircraft 15 suffered from barootitis media. Age of pilots ranged from 30 to 40 years. Relationship between barootitis media and type of aircraft was not found. Barootitis media occured more frequently during descent compare to ascent (11 vs 4). In 9 out of 15 cases, barootitis occured during november and december. Acute respiratory infection was the most common reason for barootitis media (9 out of 15 cases). Unilateral barootitis was more frequent compare to bilateral ( 11vs 4). Disorders of eustachian tube was found in 11 out of 15 cases. First audiometric findings showed low pitced tinitus in 13 out of 15 cases. Period of grounding was up to 8 days due to acute respiratory infections and up to 15 days due to allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: Our results support findings that preexiting medical history (allergic rhinitis, acute upper respiratory infections), phase of flight and weather condition represent contibuting factors for barootitis media in aviators. There is a need for careful and thorough consideration of allergic rhinitis and acute upper respiratory infections in aviators in order to prevent ear barotrauma and enhance flight safety.

barootitis; aviator

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