[The value of conventional roentgen imaging and computerized tomography in diagnosis of frontobasal fractures]

The classical x-ray diagnosis and the computer tomography (CT) examination depends mainly on clinical examination. The purpose of our study was to compare the value of conventional x-ray diagnosis and CT in detecting rhinobasal fractures. We examined 133 patients retrospectively who had a fracture. Altogether we considered with the classical x-ray diagnosis 111 and with the CT 250 regions of the frontobasis. In all, one third of fractures in the regions could not be detected preoperatively by CT and not the half by classical x-ray-diagnosis. CT allows a direct detection of brain hernias and far better imaging of osseous lesions, also of fine structures, such as a better appraisal of paranasal sinus pathology. Classical radiology is, however, still indispensable for imaging certain fracture types and localization of a pneumocranium. Except in case of special demands, conventional x-ray diagnosis is important for the routine diagnostics of the facial skull as a primary method supplying an answer to the most important questions at a lower cost and in a shorter time. Altogether, CT allows an improvement of postoperative results, influencing indication, timing of operation, such as surgical approach.