Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations

Introduction:It is important for professional divers and candidates to be medically and physically fit to undertake their underwater work safely. This study aimed to review the screening of dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) using conventional radiography, which has been stated in the legislation as part...

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Main Authors: Şefika Körpınar, Nilüfer Aylanç, Şenay Bengin Ertem, Mustafa Resorlu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Galenos Yayinevi 2021-08-01
Series:İstanbul Medical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access: http://istanbulmedicaljournal.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/radiological-assessment-of-dysbaric-osteonecrosis-/48465
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author Şefika Körpınar
Nilüfer Aylanç
Şenay Bengin Ertem
Mustafa Resorlu
author_facet Şefika Körpınar
Nilüfer Aylanç
Şenay Bengin Ertem
Mustafa Resorlu
author_sort Şefika Körpınar
collection DOAJ
description Introduction:It is important for professional divers and candidates to be medically and physically fit to undertake their underwater work safely. This study aimed to review the screening of dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) using conventional radiography, which has been stated in the legislation as part of fitness-to-dive examinations, in terms of international standards and scientific facts.Methods:Data on clinical, demographic, laboratory, and radiological evaluations were retrospectively collected for 46 professional divers or candidates who were referred for fitnessto- dive examinations between 2018 and 2020. The approach of the Professional Divers Regulation to DON was compared with that of the Military Health Regulation for the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation Equipped Diving Instruction, as well as that of the legislation of United Kingdom and European Diving Technology Committee standards.Results:Forty-six divers (males: n=45; female: n=1) were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 34 (range: 18-63) years, and the mean body mass index was 25.42 kg/m2. The prevalence of DON was 2.17% in the study group. Compared with the national and international legislations, Professional Diver Regulation was the only regulation that mandated radiological evaluation for DON in both the initial and periodic fitness-to-dive examinations.Conclusion:One of the aims of regulations is that medical fitness-to-dive standards should be evidence-based and compatible with contemporaneous clinical practice. By the 2000s, attitudes toward DON, fitness to continue diving, and compressed air work have changed in Europe. In light of the findings of the present study, we believe that it is time for a critical reappraisal of the Professional Divers Regulation.
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spelling doaj.art-8730e5ca2f7f492593fc1ee120dcd78b2023-02-15T16:17:54ZengGalenos Yayineviİstanbul Medical Journal2619-97932148-094X2021-08-0122317517910.4274/imj.galenos.2021.4769013049054Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive ExaminationsŞefika Körpınar0Nilüfer Aylanç1Şenay Bengin Ertem2Mustafa Resorlu3 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Çanakkale, Turkey Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Çanakkale, Turkey Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Çanakkale, Turkey Introduction:It is important for professional divers and candidates to be medically and physically fit to undertake their underwater work safely. This study aimed to review the screening of dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) using conventional radiography, which has been stated in the legislation as part of fitness-to-dive examinations, in terms of international standards and scientific facts.Methods:Data on clinical, demographic, laboratory, and radiological evaluations were retrospectively collected for 46 professional divers or candidates who were referred for fitnessto- dive examinations between 2018 and 2020. The approach of the Professional Divers Regulation to DON was compared with that of the Military Health Regulation for the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation Equipped Diving Instruction, as well as that of the legislation of United Kingdom and European Diving Technology Committee standards.Results:Forty-six divers (males: n=45; female: n=1) were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 34 (range: 18-63) years, and the mean body mass index was 25.42 kg/m2. The prevalence of DON was 2.17% in the study group. Compared with the national and international legislations, Professional Diver Regulation was the only regulation that mandated radiological evaluation for DON in both the initial and periodic fitness-to-dive examinations.Conclusion:One of the aims of regulations is that medical fitness-to-dive standards should be evidence-based and compatible with contemporaneous clinical practice. By the 2000s, attitudes toward DON, fitness to continue diving, and compressed air work have changed in Europe. In light of the findings of the present study, we believe that it is time for a critical reappraisal of the Professional Divers Regulation. http://istanbulmedicaljournal.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/radiological-assessment-of-dysbaric-osteonecrosis-/48465 dysbaric osteonecrosisfitness-to-dive examinationsradiology
spellingShingle Şefika Körpınar
Nilüfer Aylanç
Şenay Bengin Ertem
Mustafa Resorlu
Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
İstanbul Medical Journal
dysbaric osteonecrosis
fitness-to-dive examinations
radiology
title Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
title_full Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
title_fullStr Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
title_full_unstemmed Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
title_short Radiological Assessment of Dysbaric Osteonecrosis as a Part of Fitness-to-dive Examinations
title_sort radiological assessment of dysbaric osteonecrosis as a part of fitness to dive examinations
topic dysbaric osteonecrosis
fitness-to-dive examinations
radiology
url http://istanbulmedicaljournal.org/archives/archive-detail/article-preview/radiological-assessment-of-dysbaric-osteonecrosis-/48465
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AT senaybenginertem radiologicalassessmentofdysbaricosteonecrosisasapartoffitnesstodiveexaminations
AT mustafaresorlu radiologicalassessmentofdysbaricosteonecrosisasapartoffitnesstodiveexaminations