Clinical characteristics of pulmonary bullae in 51 aviators and aeromedical assessments

WANG Xiaoxu; CHEN Huawei; WANG Kaihui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.03.006

Abstract：Objective To summarize the clinical and imaging features of pulmonary bullae in aviators and to offer data for aeromedical assessments.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of aviators who were diagnosed with pulmonary bullae during routine physical examinations at Dalian Rehabilitation and Convalescence Center of the Joint Logistic Support Force between September 2020 and December 2023.Grouped by aircraft type,participants were categorized as fighter pilots(n=15),helicopter pilots(n=15),and bomber/transport pilots(n=21).Baseline data,total flight hours,sizes and locations of bullae,and multiplicity were compared.Results Age and cumulative flight hours differed significantly between the three groups(F=11.568 and 8.563,P＜0.001).Fighter pilots were younger than both helicopter and bomber/transport pilots(P=0.029 and＜0.001,respectively),and had shorter accumulated flight hours(P=0.010 and＜0.001,respectively).There was no significant difference in height,body mass,BMI,or sizes of bullae between these groups(P＞0.05).Bullae were chiefly subpleural,and differences in locations of bullae were insignificant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The annual detection rate of pulmonary bullae in aviators is rising.More rigorous screening and cautious aeromedical assessments are needed.Prompt surgery is recommended when necessary.