Retrospective Study Aviation, space, and environmental medicine 2013

Brain magnetic resonance imaging anomalies in U-2 pilots with neurological decompression sickness.

Jersey SL, Jesinger RA, Palka P — Aviation, space, and environmental medicine, 2013

View Original on PubMed PMID 23304992

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers retrospectively analyzed brain imaging data from 13 U-2 pilots who experienced neurological decompression sickness between 2002 and 2010.

What They Found

Of 13 U-2 pilots with neurological decompression sickness who underwent imaging, 2 (15%) showed acute subcortical lesions on MRI, and 7 (54%) had asymptomatic white matter hyper-intensities. While imaging did not aid in acute diagnosis, it was crucial for determining a pilot's fitness to return to flying after recovery.

Canadian Relevance

This study focused on U.S. U-2 pilots and does not have a direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

The study was limited by its retrospective design, small sample size, and the unknown clinical significance of the observed brain lesions.

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Study Details

Study Type	Retrospective Study
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	23304992
Year Published	2013
Journal	Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
MeSH Terms	Adult; Aerospace Medicine; Brain; Decompression Sickness; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Military Personnel; Retrospective Studies

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology