FIG 7- - uploaded by R. E. Lloyd
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uccipitomental view snowing a LeFort 2 fracture. Fractures are visible on both sides (arrows). The opacification of both maxillary sinuses and the general hazy appearance of the film is consistent with severe soft tissue swelling.
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AimsThe Maxillofacial region being one of the most complex areas of human body, fractures in this region are often accompanied by gross swelling and lacerations which further complicates the clinical examination and obscures the underlying skeletal injury.The present study is undertaken to find out the efficiency of CT scan and their 3D images for evaluating maxillofacial trauma as compared to conventional radiographs.Settings and designProspective data collectionMaterials and methodsPatients reporting at the K.L.E.S Hospital and research Institute with suspected facial trauma and/or craniofacial trauma were examined by conventional radiographs computed tomography and twenty eight patients were selected. Proper consent regarding the procedure was taken from the patients/relatives.Statistical analysis usedEpi InfoTMResultsA total 28 patients were included in the present study. Mean age was 39.25 years (SD ± 13.1533, range 10–65). Majority of the patients (92.9%) were male (Fig. 1) young adults (Fig. 2) and the most common cause of injuries were road traffic accidents [(82.1%) Fig. 3]. Out of 28 patients 13 patients were semi or unconscious at the time of admission.Conclusions
With wider availability of the CT scanners, it is increasingly used as the first line investigation to assist clinical diagnosis and treatment planning and to provide more details where a significant maxillofacial injury cannot be simply assessed from plain films. In acutely injured patient the CT scan provides the most effective, safe and reasonably rapid diagnosis of the complex pattern of multiple fractures of facial skeleton along with soft tissue injuries along with intracranial and cervical spine injury as compared to conventional radiographs. It is desirable to obtain CT for maxillofacial trauma where cost and equipment facility are not limiting factors.
There are few indications for the skull X-ray as it has been superseded by head computed tomography (CT) as the initial investigation in head trauma (National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care, 2003). Facial radiographs remain the first-line investigation for facial trauma. This article provides a systematic approach to interpreting skull and facial films and describes the common traumatic conditions requiring these X-rays along with radiological signs.
