CT examination of the pericardium and lungs in helicopter pilots exposed to vibration and noise.

INTRODUCTION: Helicopter pilots are exposed to whole body vibration and noise in their working environment. Some researchers have found that kinetic energy from both noise and vibration is believed to affect pericardial thickness and lead to pulmonary fibrosis, known as vibroacoustic disease. The aim of this project was to determine whether we could discover similar findings in a selection of helicopter pilots. METHODS: A case control study where 27 helicopter pilots were compared to an age-matched control group of typical office workers was conducted. High resolution CT scanning of the thorax was used as the diagnostic method. Two medical radiologists interpreted the images independently, blinded to whether the subjects were pilots or from the control group. RESULTS: There were no signs of pericardial thickening or significant lung fibrosis formations in either of the groups. The average pericardium thickness for the helicopter group was 1.38 mm, SD = 0.54 mm, and for the control group: 1.37 mm, SD = 0.33 mm. There was no significant correlation between pericardium thickness and flight hours or age. DISCUSSION: The average pericardial thickness values for the helicopter and the age-matched control groups were almost identical. The results are within normal limits and comparable to an American study where 21 normal individuals were measured to 1.2 mm +/- 0.8 mm in an average of 26 different points by using trans-esophageal echocardiography. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the CT scans, our findings do not support the existence of vibroacoustic disease, where pericardial thickening is the most prominent sign.

Artificial hair fiber restoration in the treatment of scalp scars.

BACKGROUND: There is presently no treatment for scalp scars that is fully satisfactory. The modalities of treatment currently in use are surgery, hair transplantation, and micropigmentation. Scalp implantation with artificial hair fibers is used by some physicians as an adjunctive treatment. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the utility of artificial hair fibers to treat scalp scars. METHODS: Data were collected by the principal author from 10 hair restoration practitioners who tested polyamide hair fiber (Biofibre CE 0373/TGA by Medicap Ltd., Carpi (MO), Italy) implantation for scalp scars. RESULTS: Artificial hair fiber implantation occurred between June 1996 and December 2000, and observations continued until December 2004. Data from 54 scars from 44 patients treated showed: (1) no complications in 49 scars (90.7%); (2) mild adverse outcomes in 4 scars (7.4%)-temporary superficial inflammation-infection that subsided following topical cortisone and local/systemic antibiotic treatment; and (3) moderately adverse outcomes in 1 scar (1.9%)-significant inflammation and generalized infection requiring removal of artificial implant to alleviate. Occasional minor skin reactions, sebum plugs, and hyperseborrhea were successfully controlled and well accepted by patients. Fiber fall rate was 20% on average per annum. CONCLUSION: Data show that polyamide hair fiber restoration can be considered an adjunctive treatment for scalp scars in selected cases.