Learning objectives
To highlight the key imaging features that are critical for therapeutic management of the most common maxillofacial fractures.
Background
Maxillofacial fractures are commonly encountered in radiological practices.
Their management and surgical treatment can present one of the most difficult undertakings for the maxillofacial surgeon.
Computed-Tomography with multiplanar reformations and 3-D volume-rendering postprocessing is the imaging technique of choice in maxillofacial trauma providing necessary details for the emergency evaluation of facial injuries [1,
2].
Several systems of classification exist for the imaging evaluation of maxillofacial fractures,
but besides the identification and classification of fractures,
the radiologist must also recognize pertinent details that guide between a...
Findings and procedure details
The facial bones are bones surrounding the mouth and nose and contributing to the orbits; they include 14 bones: the paired maxillae,
zygomatic,
nasal,
lacrimal,
palatine,
and nasal conchae; and the unpaired vomer and mandible ( Fig. 1 ).
The facial skeleton can be conceptualized as a series of buttresses: four transverse and four paired vertical buttresses ( Fig. 2 ).
The buttresses represent areas of relative increased bone thickness that support both the functional units and the form of the face in an optimal...
Conclusion
Knowledge of the common patterns of injury and the salient information that can guide patient management is important to providing pertinent and clinically beneficial reports.
References
1.
Sung EK,
Nadgir RN,
Sakai O.
Computed Tomographic Imaging in Head and Neck Trauma: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.
Seminars in Roentgenology.
2012;47(4):320-9.
2.
Mehta N,
Butala P,
Bernstein MP.
The Imaging of Maxillofacial Trauma and its Pertinence to Surgical Intervention.
Radiologic Clinics of North America.
2012;50(1):43-57.
3.
Patel R,
Reid RR,
Poon CS.
Multidetector Computed Tomography of Maxillofacial Fractures: The Key to High-Impact Radiological Reporting.
Seminars in Ultrasound,
CT and MRI.
2012;33(5):410-7.
4.
Millet-Cénac I,
Taourel P.
TDM EN TRAUMATOLOGIE: Elsevier Health...