What kind of X ray do you order for facial trauma?

CT is the standard of care for evaluation of suspected facial fracture because it is readily available, rapidly acquired, and highly accurate in detecting even subtle fractures.

How are facial fractures diagnosed?

The definitive diagnosis usually requires imaging in the form of a computed tomography (CT) scan. This aids in both the diagnosis and treatment planning of the facial fracture. The majority of patients with facial fractures can be seen in the surgeon’s clinic on an outpatient basis.

Are facial fractures more commonly caused by blunt or penetrating trauma?

Dr Bahman Rasuli ◉ and Dr Dalia Ibrahim ◉ et al. Facial fractures are commonly caused by blunt or penetrating trauma at moderate or high levels of force. Such injuries may be sustained during a fall, physical assault, motor vehicle collision, or gunshot wound.

How is a maxillary fracture diagnosed?

Signs and symptoms. Mobility of alveolar segments should be checked for the entire maxillary arch. Displacement of fractured segments results in malocclusion which is an important sign to the clinician in diagnosing the palatal fracture. Ecchymosis of the palate may also indicate the line of fracture.

What are the radiographic signs of a facial fracture?

Radiographic signs of facial fractures. The LeFort II occurs along yet another weak zone in the face, and is sometimes called a pyramidal fracture because of its shape. A common mechanism is a downward blow to the nasal area. The most severe of the classic LeFort fracture complexes is the LeFort III.

Can a nasal bone fracture cause facial deformity?

The nasal bones form a portion of the nasal bridge and, if fractured, may result in facial deformity. Injury can range from isolated nasal bone fractures to more complex patterns involving multiple bones (Fig. 17.9). Radiographs are still routinely ordered if there is suspicion of an isolated nasal ­fracture.

Can a CT scan confirm a facial fracture?

The interpretation of pediatric facial radiographs is especially challenging, and, in many cases, CT is necessary to confirm the diagnosis (, 1,, 4,, 5 ). However, regardless of the imaging modality used, radiologists must know where to look and what to look for.

What happens if you break a bone in your face?

If you break a bone in your face, you may have minor problems or major problems. The bones affect breathing, eating and speaking. You may need surgery to get back to normal. It’s important to contact your doctor immediately if you think you have facial fractures. What is a facial fracture? A facial fracture is a broken bone in the face.

What is maxillofacial trauma?

Maxillofacial trauma is any injury to the face or jaws. Facial trauma may present with skin lacerations, burns, obstruction to the nasal cavity or sinuses, damage to the orbital (eye) sockets, fracture to the jawbone, and missing or broken teeth.

What is the most appropriate imaging modality to assess facial fractures?

Generally, computed tomography (CT) scanning utilizing fine cuts and both coronal and sagittal reconstructions is the study of choice when evaluating facial fractures because visualization of fractures among the complex curves of facial bones is best achieved using this modality.

How do you know if your cheekbone is broken?

Symptoms of Cheekbone Fractures

1. Pain, tenderness, and swelling.
2. A flat appearance to the face.
3. Vision problems.
4. Blood in the side of the eye (on the affected side)
5. Jaw pain, specifically when jaw is moved.
6. Numbness under the eye of the injured side.

How do you fix a maxillary fracture?

Maxillary fractures are treated with surgery if they cause problems such as vision symptoms, a change in the way the teeth fit together, limitation of jaw opening, a sunken eyeball, facial numbness, or an unacceptable change in appearance.

How do you get a maxillary fracture?

Maxillary fractures are common in patients sustaining facial trauma and may be caused by road traffic accidents, sports, or assault. Maxillary fractures are common emergencies and require urgent assessment and treatment to avoid mortality and morbidity.

What are the characteristics of maxillofacial trauma?

Injuries classified as maxillofacial include 1) fractures to any of the facial bones; 2) soft tissue injuries to the face and intraoral structures, including lacerations, abrasions, and contusions; 3) dental injuries, including impaction, subluxation, avulsion, and fractures of the teeth or alveolar bone; and 4) …

What are the signs that are present in maxillofacial trauma?

Signs and symptoms include:

• Evidence of facial trauma.
• Bleeding from the ear.
• Swelling of the joint area.
• Facial asymmetry.
• Pain and tenderness in the joint area.
• Changes of the bite.
• A shift of the lower jaw midline.
• Limited mouth opening.

What is the second most common facial fracture?

In patients who require surgery, the most commonly fractured bone is the mandible (41.6–75.2%) [1, 13, 15]. The second and third most commonly fractured bones vary with the series, being the maxilla and orbit (39.8% each) in one series [1] but the malar bone (15.2%) and maxilla (6.4%) in another [15].

Can a fractured cheekbone heal on its own?

Cheekbone Fracture Because of their relatively inconspicuous presentation, these fractures can easily be overlooked and left to heal on their own. If not recognized and treated in a timely manner by a facial trauma specialist, cheekbone fractures can lead to undesirable cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Which is more efficient, CT or radiography for maxillofacial trauma?

Helical CT and, more recently, multidetector CT (MDCT) have supplanted plain radiography and have revolutionized the imaging of the maxillofacial trauma. CT is more cost efficient and more rapidly performed than radiographs of the face and mandible.

What kind of imaging is used for facial trauma?

If possible, bony findings should be summarized in one of several typical fracture patterns. Imaging in most emergency departments for significant facial trauma begins with computed tomography (CT) scanning.

What kind of radiography is used for facial fractures?

Facial fractures 1 Epidemiology. Males are affected more commonly than females, and facial fractures are most common in… 2 Pathology. The extent and pattern of soft tissue and osseous facial injuries varies according energy… 3 Radiographic features. Plain radiograph has poor sensitivity for detection of facial fractures.

How are maxillofacial fractures scanned at Bellevue Hospital?

At Bellevue Hospital, patients with direct facial injury and suspected maxillofacial fractures are scanned from the hyoid through the top of the frontal sinuses. Acquisitions using 64-MDCT with 0.625-mm detector width and 0.4 mm overlapping sections allow high-quality MPRs to be generated and evaluated at the workstation.