NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Screening and Management of Asymptomatic Renal Stones in AstronautsManagement guidelines were created to screen and manage asymptomatic renal stones in U.S. astronauts. The true risk for renal stone formation in astronauts due to the space flight environment is unknown. Proper management of this condition is crucial to mitigate health and mission risks. The NASA Flight Medicine Clinic electronic medical record and the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health databases were reviewed. An extensive review of the literature and current aeromedical standards for the monitoring and management of renal stones was also done. This work was used to develop a screening and management protocol for renal stones in astronauts that is relevant to the spaceflight operational environment. In the proposed guidelines all astronauts receive a yearly screening and post-flight renal ultrasound using a novel ultrasound protocol. The ultrasound protocol uses a combination of factors, including: size, position, shadow, twinkle and dispersion properties to confirm the presence of a renal calcification. For mission-assigned astronauts, any positive ultrasound study is followed by a low-dose renal computed tomography scan and urologic consult. Other specific guidelines were also created. A small asymptomatic renal stone within the renal collecting system may become symptomatic at any time, and therefore affect launch and flight schedules, or cause incapacitation during a mission. Astronauts in need of definitive care can be evacuated from the International Space Station, but for deep space missions evacuation is impossible. The new screening and management algorithm has been implemented and the initial round of screening ultrasounds is under way. Data from these exams will better define the incidence of renal stones in U.S. astronauts, and will be used to inform risk mitigation for both short and long duration spaceflights.
Document ID
20160011586
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Reyes, David (Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Locke, James (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Sargsyan, Ashot (Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Garcia, Kathleen (Wyle Labs., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 30, 2016
Publication Date
April 29, 2017
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-37560
Meeting Information
Meeting: Aerospace Medical Association Scientific Meeting (AsMA)
Location: Denver, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: April 29, 2017
End Date: May 4, 2017
Sponsors: Aerospace Medical Association
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

IDRelationTitle20170004407See AlsoScreening and Management of Asymptomatic Renal Stones in Astronauts
No Preview Available