CT Scan Format for NAMI

[mc282000]

Some of you may recall that I've recently undergone FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery) to clear up my sinusitis. So, I'm in the process of getting my waiver documentation together for NAMI and have a question. My medical provider (Kaiser, I know, they won't bill you, but they might kill you ) offers copies of my Pre/Post Op CT scans in two different formats, CD and hard copy. The CD is free and the hard copies cost $150 total. I'd prefer to not have to spend the $150 but am not sure if NAMI has the right program to open the CT scan and view the films from the CD. Does anyone know or have personal experience with what the best format to send to NAMI is? I appreciate any help/suggestions you can provide.

 

[Tom]

I would get the hard copy. You could try the CD and back it up on other devices. Sinuses are a serious issue with NAMI so I would not take any chances.

 

[The Chief]

I appreciate any help/suggestions you can provide.

It is doubtful that the CD does not contain therein the software to read/manipulate the CAT Scan data. All that I have seen include the necessary software.

Ask them.

 

[lukec]

mc, ironic that you posted this today. i just had my CT scan done yesterday and should have my consulation and other documents back from my doctor on monday. i was going to contact dr. trouche (my flight doc) at nami on monday and see what info/format he needed everything in. i'll keep you updated on what i find out. u occ-198?

 

[mc282000]

mc, ironic that you posted this today. i just had my CT scan done yesterday and should have my consulation and other documents back from my doctor on monday. i was going to contact dr. (my flight doc) at nami on monday and see what info/format he needed everything in. i'll keep you updated on what i find out. u occ-198?

Luke, that would be great if you could let me know what he says about format of CT scans and what other docs are needed.

Yea, I'm shootin' for 198, still have to get my waiver and get accepted by the board though. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[torchedlh]

i cant really comment on CT scans but i and my roommate have gotten xrays on a cd. they are simple jpegs that any computer can read. no software necessary. i assume ct scans wouldnt be too different.

 

[openbah]

In the past two years, I've gotten all kinds of films on CD, and haven't met a single doc that wanted the hard copy. If the computer needs software to open the scans, the software will be included in the disk, so it's not an issue.

Good luck with everything.

 

[mc282000]

In the past two years, I've gotten all kinds of films on CD, and haven't met a single doc that wanted the hard copy. If the computer needs software to open the scans, the software will be included in the disk, so it's not an issue.

Good luck with everything.

Thanks openbah.

Got the CD and the hard copies today. The CD did come with its own software and is able to be opened on any computer, but my recruiter told me NAMI needs the hard copies. Not sure why because looking at them on the computer is soooooo much easier/more clear.

Luckily for me Kaiser is either shady or doesn't have their act together (probably a combination of both) because I got the hard copies that were supposed to be $150 for free. I played phone tag with the POC for a couple days and changed my request on her a couple of times to the point where I think she was annoyed and said "look, we're just going to give you the films". So then why did they ask me for the $150 to start? Oh well, I'm not complainin' .

On a side note, after looking at the films, I'm really nervous because my sinuses don't look that much better. My symptoms are 1000% better, but I'm worried about how NAMI will recieve the post OP CT even if the post OP report is favorable. Not much I can do about it now I guess.

 

[mc282000]

Update: Bad News

Had the Post CT scan appointment with the surgeon today. He said my sinuses actually look worse :icon_rage. The weird thing is that I can breath better, which he said can happen.

He gave two possible reasons for them looking worse, one: my sinuses are reacting to something in my environment and the surgery just opened my sinuses to be more susceptible (sp?) to that "trigger", or two: I was getting over a rough cold at the time of the post OP CT scan, which he said could cause the sinuses to appear "full".

He also gave me two courses of action. One: do surgery, AGAIN :icon_rage or two: put me on steroids (prednisone) for 3 weeks and have another CT scan hoping that it will look better now that I'm over the cold.

I chose the second one to be a little more conservative with this.

This really sucks. What if they don't clear up? How will NAMI view my waiver request? Will NAMI take into account that I'm asymptomatic? Or will they look at the CT scans and say "he looks no better than he did before the surgery.......waiver denied"? I don't have problems breathing, and I don't have sinus pressure/pain when flying.

Any light you guys can shed on this is greatly appreciated.

 

[feddoc]

I think the questions you asked in your most recent post will have to wait for answers until NAMI gets a chance to look at the new scans.

 

[mc282000]

Update

Had another CT scan last week and my sinuses have improved in terms of congestion.

My latest hurdle is trying to get into a pressure/altitude chamber to prove to NAMI I don't have any problems.

Does anyone know of how I as a civilian can set up a run in a chamber? I'm located in San Diego and would love to put it on Uncle Sam's dime by doing it at MCAS Miramar, but I'm not sure if that's even possible. Any help you guys can provide is greatly appreciated.

 

[MasterBates]

I would see an ENT about if you have allergies that have been aggrivated by Pensacola/Dirty South.

I had a bud who was going to be NPQ for sinus issues, and the ENT he saw for a 2nd opinion gave him Flonase. Worked like a charm (I am on it too, I had bad sinus issues when I got to NorMex, but was OK in FL)

 

[mc282000]

I would see an ENT about if you have allergies that have been aggrivated by Pensacola/Dirty South.

I had a bud who was going to be NPQ for sinus issues, and the ENT he saw for a 2nd opinion gave him Flonase. Worked like a charm (I am on it too, I had bad sinus issues when I got to NorMex, but was OK in FL)

Problem is I've been on Flonase for ~2 yrs and it didn't clear the situation up, thus prompting my doctor to recommend surgery. Sinus surgery requires a waiver and one of the requested post op evidences of being PQd is a pressure chamber run. As a civilian, the chambers aren't readily acessible (sp?). Just wondering if military bases allow civilian SNA applicants to do runs in their chambers and how I would go about scheduling one.

On a side note MB, I've enjoyed reading your blog on Myspace. Very entertaining.

 

[feddoc]

Had another CT scan last week and my sinuses have improved in terms of congestion.

My latest hurdle is trying to get into a pressure/altitude chamber to prove to NAMI I don't have any problems.

Does anyone know of how I as a civilian can set up a run in a chamber? I'm located in San Diego and would love to put it on Uncle Sam's dime by doing it at MCAS Miramar, but I'm not sure if that's even possible. Any help you guys can provide is greatly appreciated.

There are a few conditions under which a civilian can be placed in a LPC. I don't think you meet the needs criteria. There are civilian chambers though. I'll get more gouge once I get to work.

Who said you needed a LPC flight to prove your sinuses are good?

 

[mc282000]

There are a few conditions under which a civilian can be placed in a LPC. I don't think you meet the needs criteria. There are civilian chambers though. I'll get more gouge once I get to work.

Who said you needed a LPC flight to prove your sinuses are good?

No one specifically told me I have to have a LPC flight. My recruiter suggested it as concrete evidence to NAMI that my sinuses won't be an issue. The waiver guide, section 6.2 states that some evidence of tolerance to pressure changes should be documented, either through scuba diving or a pressure chamber if the applicant is military. I'm not military, but was hoping there would be a way to do a LPC flight anyways.

Basically, I'm trying to provide as much evidence to NAMI as possible seeing as my CT scans were less than stellar.

Thanks for the help guys.