Simulator sickness among helicopter pilots: Incidence, threshold and severity using the SSQ.

Background: Flight simulators have an essential role in aircrew training. Occasionally, symptoms of motion sickness, defined as simulator sickness, develop during training sessions. The reported incidence of simulator sickness ranged widely in different studies.

Facial and trigeminal nerves neuropathy induced by atmospheric pressure changes: A meta-analysis.

Background: Barometric pressure changes during flight or diving may cause facial barotrauma. Neuropathy of the fifth (CN5) or the seventh (CN7) cranial nerves is a rare manifestation of this condition. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors for baroneuropathies of CN5 and CN7.

Subjective versus objective refraction in healthy young adults.

Purpose: To evaluate objective and subjective refraction differences in healthy young adults.

Methods: Data concerning candidates for the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy, as well as active air force pilots in all stages of service who underwent a routine health checkup between the years 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Objective refraction measured using a single autorefractometer was compared with subjective refraction measured by an experienced military optometrist during the same visit.

Cognitive performance of air personnel following sleep deprivation.

Air forces have developed several methods for reducing fatigue-related accidents. In the Israeli Air Force, the "Dead Tired" workshop was developed with the purpose of presenting aircrew with their objective performance under sleep deprivation conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the cognitive abilities of both aircrew and unmanned aerial vehicle operators, both objectively and subjectively.

Anticholinergic Versus Antihistaminic Treatment for Simulator Sickness Prevention.

Flight simulators have an essential role in aircrew training. Occasionally, symptoms of motion sickness, defined as simulator sickness, develop during these sessions. Preventive methods for motion sickness have been investigated thoroughly; however, only a few studies have examined preventive treatments for simulator sickness.

Negative impact of high-performance flights on aviators with mitral valve prolapse.

Background: While it appears not to affect healthy aviators' hearts, there are scarce data regarding the impact of high-performance flights on aviators with mitral valve prolapse (MVP).

Methods: A retrospective, comparative cohort study of military aviators with MVP. Subjects were categorized to either high-performance (jet fighter) or low-performance (transport and helicopter) aviators.

Mitigating Risks of Altitude Chamber Training.

Altitude chambers are used for training aircrews in a hypobaric hypoxic environment to better prepare them for pressurization and oxygen malfunction incidents during flights. However, adverse effects may occur during training sessions, with decompression sickness (DCS) being a major concern. The aim of this study was to examine the risks of different adverse effects during altitude chamber trainings (ACT) in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) facility and to compare them to other training facilities.

The influence of refractive state and heterophorias on visual acuity and stereoacuity in healthy young adults.

Purpose: To evaluate associations of refractive error and heterophoria with best-corrected visual acuity and stereoacuity in a population of healthy young adults.

Methods: Data extracted from the Israeli Defense Forces Air Force candidates database was analyzed retrospectively. Myopia and hyperopia were defined as spherical equivalent of ≤ -0.

Return to Flying Duties Following a COVID-19 Booster Dose.

Israel began vaccinating with the booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in July 2021, before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the vaccine in September 2021. The first and second vaccines were shown to have several side effects that could possibly affect aircrews' fitness to fly. Thus, the Israel Air Force (IAF) decided on a disqualification period of 24 h following the first vaccine, and 48 h following the second vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine and Fitness to Fly.

On December 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Military Aviators with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Continued Flying.

Military aviators are likely to be first diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) during military service. Current recommendations support continuing flying with restrictions, but risks may be significant. The aim of the study was to document the long-term results of aviators newly diagnosed with IBD.

Nasoseptal Flap for Skull Base Reconstruction in Children.

 The endoscopic endonasal approach is being increasingly used for the resection and reconstruction of anterior skull base (ASB) lesions. Vascularized nasoseptal flaps (NSF) have become the workhorse for the reconstruction of ASB defects, resulting in a significant decrease in the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of NSF in children.

The transcervical approach for parapharyngeal space pleomorphic adenomas: indications and technique.

Background: Head and Neck Parapharyngeal space tumors are rare. Pleomorphic Adenomas are the most common Parapharyngeal space tumors. The purpose of this study was to define preoperative criteria for enabling full extirpation of parapharyngeal space pleomorphic adenomas via the transcervical approach while minimizing functional and cosmetic morbidity.

Cranialization of the frontal sinus for secondary mucocele prevention following open surgery for benign frontal lesions.

Objective: To compare frontal sinus cranialization to obliteration for future prevention of secondary mucocele formation following open surgery for benign lesions of the frontal sinus.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center.

Smartphone-based hearing test as an aid in the initial evaluation of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can cause significant morbidity. Treatment with steroids can improve outcome. Delay in initiation of treatment reduces the chance to regain hearing.

Incidence of retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis (longus colli tendinitis) in the general population.

Objective: To determine the incidence of retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis (longus colli tendinitis) in a general urban adult population.

Study Design: Observational study in a municipal medical center.

Setting: Single tertiary referral center.