Biomedical subjects

Narinder Taneja

Publications and source records attributed to Narinder Taneja.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Diagnostic categories among 232 military aircrew with musculoskeletal disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disabilities are a cause for concern in aircrew as they can critically affect return to flying duties. Analysis of the nature and cause of musculoskeletal disabilities can provide insight to assist in developing preventive and therapeutic intervention programs. METHODS: The Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) is responsible for centralized evaluation of military and civil aircrew with any musculoskeletal disability. We analyzed musculoskeletal disabilities among Indian Air Force aircrew who were evaluated at this Institute from 2001-2003. RESULTS: A total of 232 aircrew were evaluated. The majority (53.4%, n=124) came from the fighter stream. A large proportion (30.2%, n=70) were in the age group 26 to 30 yr with an additional number (25.4%, n = 59) in the 31-35 age group. Musculoskeletal injuries affecting the spine constituted most (48.2%, n = 121) of the disabilities followed by upper limbs (28.2%, n = 71) and lower limbs (19.9%, n=50), respectively. Of the spinal disabilities, degenerative disease of the disk was the leading diagnosis (46 aircrew, 38.0%), followed by fracture of the spine (28.1%, n=35). Road traffic accidents accounted for almost a quarter of the injuries (23.3%, n=54). DISCUSSION: These findings provide insight into the nature of musculoskeletal disabilities among military aircrew. Implications for preventive and therapeutic strategies are elaborated. Follow-up studies to understand the characteristics associated with each disability have been initiated.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Aircrew ejection experience: questionnaire responses from 20 survivors.

BACKGROUND: Published studies on ejection have focused predominantly on the injuries sustained by aircrew and discussed their preventive measures from an aeromedical perspective. However, studies have not discussed aircrew experiences related to ejection or how they would like to advise other aircrew to successfully handle ejection as an event. Such information can assist in designing realistic indoctrination and training programs. This study was conducted to fill gaps in our understanding of aircrew perspectives of successful ejections. METHODS: Aircrew reporting to the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), Indian Air Force, for post-ejection evaluation during the period of May 2003 to January 2005 completed a questionnaire that was designed for the study. RESULTS: A total of 20 aircrew completed this questionnaire. The mean age of the aircrew was 30.25 +/- 4.45 yr. Most of them had logged more than 500 flying hours. Some aircrew described their initial moments of ejection as "blacked out," "dazed, yet conscious," or as "a shock that gradually decreased." Practicing ejection drills on the ground, being prepared at all times, making a timely decision to eject, and assuming correct posture were identified as the most important factors for success. Descriptions of ejection as an event suggest intense emotional arousal could occur following ejection. DISCUSSION: This study provides first hand inputs into the psychological processes accompanying ejections. Such information could be very useful in understanding the critical factors that influence successful ejection.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed2003

Analysis of injuries among pilots involved in fatal general aviation airplane accidents.

The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of injuries sustained by pilots involved in fatal general aviation (GA) airplane accidents. Detailed information on the pattern and nature of injuries was retrieved from the Federal Aviation Administration's autopsy database for pilots involved in fatal GA airplane accidents from 1996 to 1999. A review of 559 autopsies revealed that blunt trauma was the primary cause of death in 86.0% (N=481) of the autopsies. The most commonly occurring bony injuries were fracture of the ribs (72.3%), skull (55.1%), facial bones (49.4%), tibia (37.9%) and pelvis (36.0%). Common organ injuries included laceration of the liver (48.1%), lung (37.6%) heart (35.6%), and spleen (30.1%), and hemorrhage of the brain (33.3%) and lung (32.9%). A fractured larynx was observed in 14.7% of the cases, a finding that has not been reported in literature until now. It was observed that individuals who sustained brain hemorrhage were also more likely to have fractures of the facial bones rather than skull fractures.

Accidents, Aviation↗

PubMed2003

Analysis of injuries among pilots killed in fatal helicopter accidents.

BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in the crashworthiness of helicopters, both the rate and severity of injuries sustained in helicopter accidents remain a cause for concern. The mechanism and pattern of injuries sustained in aircraft accidents can provide vital information for improving survivability. The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of injuries sustained by pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents. METHOD: Detailed information on the pattern and nature of injuries was retrieved from the Federal Aviation Administration's autopsy database for pilots involved in fatal helicopter accidents from 1993 to 1999. RESULTS: A review of 84 autopsies revealed that blunt trauma was cited as the primary cause of death in 88.1% of these cases. The most commonly occurring bony injuries were fractures of the ribs (73.8%), skull (51.2%), facial bones (47.6%), tibia (34.5%), thorax (32.1%), and pelvis (31.0%). Common organ/visceral injuries included injury to the brain (61.9%), lung (60.7%), liver (47.6%), heart (41.7%), aorta (38.1/), and spleen (32.1%). Injury patterns did not appear to be related to the age of the pilot or the phase of flight. The use of a shoulder harness afforded protection to the occupant against certain injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings and their significance are explained in the overall context of crash survivability and have implications for the design of crashworthy aircraft and making helicopter accidents more survivable.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed2002

Prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities in pilots involved in fatal general aviation airplane accidents.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease in general and coronary heart disease in particular remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Coronary artery disease is of concern in aviation because of its potential to cause sudden in-flight incapacitation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cardiovascular abnormalities in pilots involved in fatal general aviation airplane accidents. METHOD: A comprehensive review was performed of all cardiovascular abnormalities detected during autopsies conducted on pilots involved in fatal fixed-wing general aviation aircraft accidents in the U.S. from 1996-1999. Data was obtained from the database maintained at Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City. RESULTS: An analysis of 534 autopsy reports revealed presence of cardiovascular abnormalities in 234 pilots (prevalence rate 43.82%). Coronary artery stenosis had a prevalence rate of 37.64%. There were 41 pilots who had evidence of severe atherosclerosis of the left coronary artery. This was significantly associated with stenosis of the right coronary and circumflex arteries. There was a statistically significant relation between coronary atherosclerosis and advancing age. DISCUSSION: Although the overall prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis is lower than previously reported, evidence of severe atherosclerosis was found in a relatively high percentage of pilots and may be a cause for concern. The findings have implications for aircrew health education and primary prevention programs. There is also a need for more standardized data collection.

Accidents, Aviation↗