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Dysbaric osteonecrosis screening in Turkish Navy divers.
Gunalp Uzun1, Akin Savas Toklu, Senol Yildiz
1Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Teaching Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. gunalpuzun@yahoo.com
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is rare in Turkish Navy divers adhering to decompression rules. Routine MRI screening for DON is not recommended for these divers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Diving Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is an occupational hazard for divers.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been proposed for DON surveillance in military divers.
- The prevalence of DON in Turkish Navy divers was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of DON in Turkish Navy divers.
- To evaluate the necessity of MRI screening for DON in this population.
Main Methods:
- 106 male Turkish Navy divers underwent MRI screening of shoulder, hip, and knee joints.
- Data on diving experience and medical history were collected via questionnaire.
- MRI scans were analyzed for bone lesions indicative of osteonecrosis.
Main Results:
- No bone lesions consistent with DON were detected in any of the divers.
- The study group comprised divers with an average age of 34.3 years, 12.1 years of service, 834 total diving hours, and an average depth of 13.3 meters.
Conclusions:
- The risk of DON is very low among military divers who follow decompression protocols and undergo regular medical checks.
- Routine MRI screening for DON is not considered necessary for Turkish Navy divers.
- Adherence to safety regulations effectively mitigates the risk of dysbaric osteonecrosis in divers.
