Aeromedical assessment of a helicopter flying personnel with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism: a case report and literature review
10.3760/cma.j.cn113854-20241231-00184
- VernacularTitle:直升机飞行人员无症状原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症放飞1例并文献复习
- Author:
Pangmin LI
1
;
Li XIAO
1
;
Lin DING
1
;
Dandan WANG
1
;
Caizhe YANG
1
;
Di ZHU
1
Author Information
1. 空军军医大学空军特色医学中心内分泌科，北京 100142
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Hyperparathyroidism;
Asymptomatic diseases;
Eligibility determination;
Flying personnel
- From:
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine
2025;36(3):222-226
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the diagnosis and treatment of the flying personnel with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (aPHPT) and the principles of aeromedical assessments.Methods:The clinical data of a helicopter navigator with aPHPT was retrospectively analyzed, and the related literature was reviewed.Results:A helicopter navigator was diagnosed with hyperplasie parathyroide or parathyroid adenoma in November 2020. In March 2021, the patient had his parathyroid adenoma explored and excised. Postoperatively, levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium were mildly elevated, but without typical clinical manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism, so temporary grounding was warranted. In June 2023, the patient returned to the hospital for re-examination, where PTH and serum calcium remained elevated. Parathyroid static imaging showed a focal concentration in the right lower parathyroid region, which was consistent with the manifestation of parathyroid adenoma so that the patient was diagnosed with aPHPT, resulting in temporary grounding. In June 2024, the patient was admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Air Force Medical Center for aeromedical assessment, where PTH and serum calcium showed mild elevation, without such complications as urinary calculi or osteoporosis. The patient was diagnosed with aPHPT with no indication for surgery. Dynamic follow-up and monitoring of parathyroid-related indicators were recommended. The patient was determined as eligible for flight via aeromedical assessment and has flown safely for 200 h so far.Conclusions:For flying personnl with aPHPT, it is crucial to identify potential risks of disease progression and find out whether parathyroidectomy can improve clinical symptoms and surgical outcomes. The aeromedical assessment of aPHPT flying personnel should involve comprehensive assessments of conditions and dynamic monitoring of biochemical indicators, and be individualized according to the type of aircraft and flight duties.
