Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
[The overlooked chin trauma in children]
E Regev1, R Zeltser, A Shteyer
1Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hebrew University, Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem.
Insights
Even with normal occlusion, children can have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) fractures after chin trauma. CT scans are essential for diagnosing these injuries, which are often missed by plain X-rays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Maxillofacial Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Minor facial trauma in children, including lacerations and dental injuries, often receives less attention than major injuries.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) trauma in children can present with subtle signs like pain and limited jaw movement, sometimes overlooked when only a chin laceration is present.
Observation:
- Children with condylar head fractures following minor facial trauma may exhibit normal physiological occlusion.
- Clinical signs such as mild mouth opening limitation and joint tenderness can be present but are not always definitive.
- Routine plain X-rays are frequently inconclusive for diagnosing TMJ fractures in pediatric patients.
Findings:
- Condylar head fractures in children can occur even with normal occlusion and mild clinical symptoms.
- Diagnosis of TMJ fractures in children often requires advanced imaging beyond plain radiography.
- CT scans are crucial for accurate diagnosis and confirmation of condylar head fractures in pediatric cases.
Implications:
- A thorough clinical examination and normal occlusion do not exclude the possibility of condylar head fracture after chin trauma in children.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of TMJ fractures is vital to prevent long-term functional and aesthetic complications.
- CT imaging should be strongly considered in the evaluation of pediatric patients with suspected TMJ trauma.
Unlabelled:
Children seldom experience major facial trauma. However, minor injuries such as facial lacerations, abrasions and dental trauma are more common and naturally get less attention. Children with TMJ trauma usually present with pain, limited jaw movement and even malocclusion. However, these findings are not always recognized and sometimes get overlooked when chin laceration is the only sign. Plain x-rays can contribute to the diagnosis but in many cases are inconclusive and are difficult to interpret. Often, there is a diagnostic dilemma, especially when the clinical findings are not clear and normal occlusion is hard to restore. We present 3 out of 12 children in whom we diagnosed condylar head fracture following minor facial trauma. All children had normal physiological occlusion. Most of them had mild clinical signs such as limited mouth opening, pain and tenderness upon palpation of the joint. Routine plain films were not conclusive. The diagnosis was made or confirmed with CT scan. Early diagnosis of TMJ fracture in children is mandatory for the prevention of long term functional and esthetically debilitating sequela.
Conclusion:
A thorough clinical examination and normal occlusion do not rule out condylar head fracture after chin trauma. Plain films are of limited value in the diagnosis of such fractures. CT should be considered for the evaluation of these children.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:08Overview of the Skull
The cranial vault surrounds and protects the brain and houses the middle and inner ear structures. This cavity is bounded superiorly by the rounded top of the skull, which...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management