AUTHOR(S): Dr. Karthik S, Dr. Gowri, Dr. Mukundan, Dr. Deesha Ramji and Dr. Sugandhi Perumal

ABSTRACT:Maxillofacial trauma such as facial fractures, dentoalveolar fractures occur as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA) ^[1]. The extent of the injuries sustained depends on the location, direction, momentum and force of the impact absorbed by the victim. Facial fractures usually goes unnoticed or even less importance when a patient sustains other concerning injuries. ^[2] The delay in treatment of such injuries leads to unnecessary complications which could have been easily thwarted. Radiographic assessment is integral in the workup of patients with significant facial trauma. Initial radiographs and CT scans are taken on admission to examine the extent of the injury to the CNS or the C-spine ^[3]. The helical multislice CT is an easier and faster modality to image patients with spine injuries or head injuries. Various studies report advantages and pitfalls of conventional radiography as well as CT in diagnosing facial fractures. Here we present a case of maxillofacial trauma along with other polytraumatic injuries sustained due to a RTA and how the facial fractures went relatively unnoticed until multi facial 3D CT Scan was taken and we shed light on the importance of facial 3D CT scan over conventional CT scan and radiograph.

Pages: 570-573  |  861 Views  80 Downloads