Bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of ejection injuries.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) experience on local back injury with all ejection seats is that 50% have vertebral fractures on radiographic examination, with or without symptoms. These aviators are placed under the care of an orthopedic specialist and restricted from flying duties for 3 months or more. About half of the remainder demonstrate positive bone scans. Until recently, RAF policy was to treat these individuals the same as those with radiographically defined fractures. The author recommends this group of pilots be examined by orthopedic surgeons, and reviewed annually to assess long-term sequelae. Meanwhile, if asymptomatic, they are allowed to return to flying duties. The RAF recently incorporated most of these recommendations into a policy change.
Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital, Halton, Aylesbury, Bucks, England.
R F
RF
Bury
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft / Q000295:instrumentation*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013667:Technetium; D006113:United Kingdom
D013667:Technetium