Duizeligheid bij treinbestuurders
CASE REPORT
Ear and vestibular symptoms in train operators after sudden air pressure changes in trains
Hugues M A Francois,1 Luc Vantrappen,1 Vincent Van Rompaey,2 Lode Godderis3
A healthy 31-year-old train operator presented to our occupational health clinic reporting ear aches, headaches,dizziness, unsteadiness and even slight tinnitus. These
symptoms first appeared when the patient started operating from a new train cabin. He described a sudden pressure gradient, experienced on some parts of the
trajectory, which might have caused these problems. Although the cabins were equipped with a pressure equalising device, this was usually switched off because
of the device creating an uncomfortable feeling in the cabin. The literature describes sudden pressure gradients as possible factors for passenger discomfort.
Francois HMA, Vantrappen L, Van Rompaey V, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [ please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/bcr-2015-212936
Correspondance to Dr Hugues M A Francois, hugues.francois@hr-rail.be