Flying After a Pneumothorax

[Odd Job]

This is a nice summary in an accessible format:

http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/...ravel_2009.pdf

There was quite an interesting case to do with plain film vs CT in the radiological detection of a pneumothorax that I was involved with back in 1999. If I can find those images in my collection I might post them if it is deemed worthwhile.

[Red Flag 1]

Originally Posted by Odd Job

This is a nice summary in an accessible format:

http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/...ravel_2009.pdf

There was quite an interesting case to do with plain film vs CT in the radiological detection of a pneumothorax that I was involved with back in 1999. If I can find those images in my collection I might post them if it is deemed worthwhile.

Good article.

Would like to see the CT vs CXR films.

Thanks Odd Job!!

RF 1

[Trojan19]

Got the Bio filled out right this time, didn't notice the save button all the way to the right. Whoops.

Anyways, I've read and reread this thread many times along with countless other documents dealing with SP and the Air Force. I talked with an Air Force Chief today and I was told a CT scan with fine cuts may change the mind of the SG, but nothing is guaranteed (without insurance I obviously can't afford $1000+ for CT scans). He never mentioned if I could still be admitted to the flight program as non-prior service with this prior condition.

Sorry if I'm asking questions that have already been covered, or that are separate from transporting SP patients. I've just had a hard time getting solid answers on whether or not it's even possible for me to serve in a flight job given this prior injury.

Thanks again.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Trojan19

Got the Bio filled out right this time, didn't notice the save button all the way to the right. Whoops.

Anyways, I've read and reread this thread many times along with countless other documents dealing with SP and the Air Force. I talked with an Air Force Chief today and I was told a CT scan with fine cuts may change the mind of the SG, but nothing is guaranteed (without insurance I obviously can't afford $1000+ for CT scans). He never mentioned if I could still be admitted to the flight program as non-prior service with this prior condition.

Sorry if I'm asking questions that have already been covered, or that are separate from transporting SP patients. I've just had a hard time getting solid answers on whether or not it's even possible for me to serve in a flight job given this prior injury.

Thanks again.

You should probably find an AF site and ask there.

This is an Army SF website.

TR

[Red Flag 1]

Trojan19,

Thanks for the bio. As TR has pointed out, you would likely get closer to a solid answer by dealing direct with the USAF.

Since you are aiming at an aerospace field, I would suggest hooking up with a flight surgeon. You live in Sacramento, and I would suggest giving a call to Flight Medicine at Travis AFB. You probably do not need to talk with a flight surgeon persay; senior NCO's will have the answers to your questions. These are the folks that do flight physicals. My clearances after SP came from the flight surgeons at Brooks AFB, San Antonio, TX. Since you are seeking to join, there may be a way to get the CT's, if needed, at Travis AFB; if you play your cards right.

If you need help hooking up, shoot me a pm.

Best of luck!

RF 1

[Odd Job]

Red Flag, I found the images. This was a 32 year old male stabbed in the chest, right side antero-laterally. He was stable, no big deal, here is his first CXR (supine):

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...upinesmall.jpg

There was no obvious pneumothorax but we suspected it because of the subcutaneous emphysema you see there on the right. I can't remember what they made of the right middle and lower lobe, just that they didn't like the look of it and were thinking should we put ICD now or wait a bit? Next shot was erect:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Erectsmall.jpg

Still nothing obvious. No pneumo edge. Some 10cm CT cuts showed the pneumo nicely:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...estCTsmall.jpg

Because it was mainly anterior there was reduced chance to define the pneumo in this case where the standard X-rays are 90 degrees to the coronal plane. Based on the CT they decided to err on the side of caution and place an ICD.

A historical note: this was Joburg in the late 90s. We had one single slice spiral CT scanner and a heavy workload. It wasn't like the UK and US where you could afford to just scan a guy as a matter of course. With 16,000 adult trauma patients annually, they had to have very strong indications and ambivalent clinical assessments before getting a scan.