Imaging of facial trauma

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2002 May;12(2):295-309. doi: 10.1016/s1052-5149(02)00002-3.

Abstract

Facial trauma is a commonly encountered injury in the emergency department. Facial fractures can be categorized into limited, transfacial, and smash fractures. Limited fractures may involve one or two adjacent facial supporting struts. Transfacial fractures are classically the Le Fort fractures. Smash fractures are comminuted fractures that do not follow classical facial fracture patterns. Depending on the severity of injury, treatment may be conservative or surgical. [figure: see text] Computed tomography is superior to conventional radiography, tomography, and MRI in detecting facial fractures, defining their direction, extent, and displacement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Facial Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Facial Bones / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Skull Fractures / classification
  • Skull Fractures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skull Fractures / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed