Results of low-dose chest CT examination and aeromedical assessment of fighter pilots

SHANG Hongwei; MENG Yongxia; LIAN Haiying; LI Chao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.05.011

Abstract：Objective To analyze the low-dose chest CT examination results of fighter pilots and provide data for related aeromedical assessments.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of the results of low-dose chest CT scan and of the data on aeromedical assessments of fighter pilots who underwent health checkups between April 2023 and December 2024 at the 983rd Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force.These pilots were divided into a group ages 20 to 29,a group ages 30 to 39 and a third group ages 40-49.The differences in examination results between different age groups were analyzed before critical considerations were identified for aeromedical assessments.Results The results of low dose chest CT screening of 385 fighter pilots revealed no obvious abnormalities in 294 cases(76.36％),pulmonary nodules in 50 cases(12.99％),pulmonary bullae in 34 cases(8.83％),tracheal diverticula in 9 cases(2.34％),mediastinal nodule in 5 cases(1.30％),and esophageal dilatation with food retention in 2 cases(0.52％).There were statistically significant differences in the detection rates of no obvious abnormalities,pulmonary nodules,and pulmonary bullae between these age groups(x2=14.674,9.193,7.868,P＜0.001,=0.010,=0.020).Fewer significant abnormalities were observed in the 30-39-year-old group than in the 40-49-year-old group(P＜0.05).More pulmonary nodules and pulmonary bullae were detected in the group ages 40 to 49 than in the other two age groups(all P＜0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference in the detection rates of tracheal diverticulum,esophageal dilation or mediastinal nodules between these groups(all P＞0.05).Three cases were temporarily grounded due to pulmonary nodules,and another 4 cases due to pulmonary bullae,accounting for 7.69％(7/91)of the abnormal results.Conclusion The application of low dose chest CT examination in health checkups of fighter pilots can help detect chest diseases early,treat them quickly,and draw more convincing conclusions about aeromedical assessments.