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The value of coronal computer tomograms in fractures of the mandibular condylar process
R Schimming1, U Eckelt, T Kittner
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Dresden, Germany.
Objective:
A prospective investigation designed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of conventional panoramic and posteroanterior mandibular radiographs with that of coronal computed tomography scans in cases of fracture of the mandibular condylar process was conducted.
Study Design:
In all, 182 patients with a total of 249 fractures (some unilateral and some bilateral) of the mandibular condyle received conventional radiographs and coronal computed tomography scans as diagnostic procedures. The ability of these procedures to detect and correctly classify these fractures was determined, and their importance for therapeutic decision-making is described.
Results:
All clinically identified fractures were detected by means of both conventional and computed tomography imaging. However, only computed tomography scanning could correctly classify high condylar neck fractures.
Conclusions:
Especially in cases of high condylar neck fracture, coronal computed tomography scans were more useful than conventional radiographs in the determination of type of condylar fracture so that a correct treatment decision could be made.