Altitude Decompression Sickness Incidence Among U-2 Pilots: 1994-2010

Hundemer, Gregory L.; Jersey, Sean L.; Stuart, Rory P.; Butler, William P.; Pilmanis, Andrew A.

doi:10.3357/asem.3201.2012

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…2 The risk of DCS per flight increased from 0.076% pre-2006 to 0.23% during the 2006-2010 operation years, believed to be related to more frequent and longer periods of exposure for the pilots. 3,4 Importantly, 44% of episodes were diagnosed as NDCS, with symptoms ranging from mild, such as complaints of slowed thought processes, to severe, including anomia, confusion, unresponsiveness, 5 and permanent cognitive decline. 6 We previously reported that clinical NDCS was associated with an increase in white matter hyperintensities (WMH).…”

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confidence: 99%

White matter hyperintensities on MRI in high-altitude U-2 pilots

et al. 2013

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Pilots with occupational exposure to hypobaria showed a significant increase in WMH lesion volume and number. Unlike the healthy controls with predominantly WMH in the frontal white matter, WMH in pilots were more uniformly distributed throughout the brain. This is consistent with our hypothesized pattern of damage produced by interaction between microemboli and cerebral tissue, leading to thrombosis, coagulation, inflammation, and/or activation of innate immune response, although further studies will be necessary to clarify the pathologic mechanisms responsible.

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White matter hyperintensities on MRI in high-altitude U-2 pilots

et al. 2013

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“…3 In response to an increased incidence of NDCS in the United States Air Force (USAF), 4,5 research was performed that demonstrated pilots who experienced NDCS had increased volume and number of subcortical T2-weighted white matter hyperintensity (WMH) abnormalities. 6 Follow-up research reported significant elevation of WMH in high-altitude pilots without clinical symptoms of NDCS.…”

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confidence: 99%

Lower neurocognitive function in U-2 pilots

et al. 2014

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“…The closest analogue to EVA is high-altitude U-2 plane pilots, a US Air Force spy plane dating back to the 1950s. While the published operating altitude of the U-2 is 70,000 ft, partial cabin pressurization exposes pilots to prolong periods of 29,500 ft while breathing 100% O 2 (Hundemer et al 2012), an environment similar to astronauts during EVA. Another acceptable surrogate population but without the added potential of radiation exposure are the inside safety monitors for altitude chamber training who are repetitively exposed to brief (< 30 min) nonhypoxic hypobaria (25,000 ft).…”

Section: White Matter Hyperintensities (Wmh)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural Brain Changes Associated with Space

McGuire¹

2020

Handbook of Space Pharmaceuticals

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Space flight occurs in an extremely hostile environment, one for which man is inherently poorly adapted. As the duration of flight increases, more clinical syndromes and cerebral structural changes are being described, suggesting a direct relationship to time of exposure. There is now emerging evidence for involvement of the neuro-ocular system, cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter, and white matter. A definitive pathophysiological mechanism remains elusive with investigation hampered by the limited number of study subjects, the logistical restrictions of examination during flight, the lack of terrestrial analogues, and the possible variability of individual susceptibility to the environmental challenge. The common underlying thread appears to be duration of exposure to a microgravity environment although anticipated future mission activities including frequent extravehicular activities may pose additional challenges, potentially

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Altitude Decompression Sickness Incidence Among U-2 Pilots: 1994-2010

Abstract: DCS remains prevalent among U-2 pilots. An increase in number and severity of cases correlated temporally with increased operational tempo of the U-2 squadron. Changes in cockpit pressurization and limiting the length and frequency of hypobaric exposure may reduce future incidence.

Cited by 18 publications

References 4 publications

White matter hyperintensities on MRI in high-altitude U-2 pilots

White matter hyperintensities on MRI in high-altitude U-2 pilots

Lower neurocognitive function in U-2 pilots

Structural Brain Changes Associated with Space

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