Imaging Sci Dent.  2023 Mar;53(1):53-60. 10.5624/isd.20220173.

Maxillary sinus volumetric changes in jet aircraft pilots: A multislice computed tomography pilot study

• Silva Yd
• Munhoz L
• Filho JRP
• Damasceno AG
• Rosa CFFd
• Zukovski EB
• Teng EZ
• Castro CCd

• KMID: 2541264
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.20220173

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Multidetector Computed Tomography; Diagnostic Imaging; Maxillary Sinus; Aerospace Medicine; Aviation