Abstract:
Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis in pilots and its aviation medical assessment.
Methods The diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis in a pilot and its aviation medical assessment were analyzed with the related domestic and foreign literature reviewed.
Results The pilot was adm itted to our hospital in July 2012 due to left facial paralysis for 20 days and system ic multiple lymph node enlargement for 15 days with no symptoms such as fever, pain, and fatigue. Chest radiography showed bilateral hilar lymph node enlargement accompanying pulmonary interstitial lesions. Ultrasonography displayed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in neck, groin and abdom inal cavity. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) level was higher than normal in the pilot. Tuberculin skin test was negative. Inguinal lymph node biopsy revealed sarcoidosis at stageⅡwhich was not treated. His sarcoidosis was relieved after 1 year and he was thus allowed to re-fy.
Conclusion Whether pilots with sarcoidosis can fy or not should be decided according to the severity, clinical manifestations and curative effect of sarcoidosis, kinds of aircraft they fy and their fight duty. Pilots who are allowed to re-fy after treatment need close follow-up.