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Relation between temporal bone pneumatisation and middle-ear barotrauma in aircrew members

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2019

A Hussein ,
H M Abdel Tawab ,
W T Lotfi ,
N Fayad  and
N Elsisy
A Hussein*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
H M Abdel Tawab
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
W T Lotfi
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt
N Fayad
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University, Egypt
N Elsisy
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Student Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Ahmed Hussein, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt E-mail: asilyahmed@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to assess the potential role of pneumatisation of the mastoid and its communicating air cells in the development of middle-ear barotrauma in aircrew members.

Methods

Seventy-nine aircrew members (158 ears) underwent temporal computed tomography. All were assessed before flying by clinical examination and audiology evaluation, followed by post-flight examination to detect barotrauma.

Results

Aircrew members’ ears were divided into 3 groups based on barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation: 33 ears with barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation of 71 cm3 or greater (group A); 12 ears with barotrauma and temporal bone pneumatisation of 11.2 cm3 or lower (group B); and 113 ears with no barotrauma (group C). Mean pneumatisation volumes were 91.05 cm3, 5.45 cm3 and 28.01 cm3 in groups A, B and C, respectively. A direct relationship was observed between volume of temporal bone pneumatisation of 71 cm3 or greater and barotrauma grade.

Conclusion

Pneumatisation volume of the mastoid and its communicating air cells that ranges from 11.3 cm3 to 70.4 cm3 serves as a reliable predictor of the avoidance of middle-ear barotrauma associated with flying in aircrew members who have normal resting middle-ear pressure and good Eustachian tube function.

Keywords

BarotraumaMiddle EarTemporal BoneMastoidAir Travel
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 10 , October 2019 , pp. 918 - 922
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Dr A Hussein takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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