Barotrauma during flight occurs due to which mechanism?

• A. Barotrauma results from pressure changes causing tissue injury
• B. Barotrauma results from viral infection causing tissue injury
• C. Barotrauma results from dehydration causing tissue injury
• D. Barotrauma results from magnetic interference causing tissue injury

Answer: (A)

Barotrauma from flying happens when changes in cabin pressure cause gas in closed air spaces to expand or compress faster than the tissues can adapt, leading to tissue injury. In the ear and sinus regions, the gas freely expands with ascent (lower outside pressure) and can compress during descent (rising outside pressure) if the pathways that equalize pressure, like the Eustachian tube, are blocked or not used properly. This unequal pressure stretches or ruptures tissues such as the tympanic membrane, causing pain and potential injury. Other causes listed—viral infection, dehydration, or magnetic interference—do not produce barotrauma through this mechanism of pressure-driven gas change in air-filled spaces.