[Imaging of paranasal sinus trauma]

The role of imaging in the management of maxillofacial trauma is to describe anatomical lesions and to detect complications and associated injuries. Plain films are still useful for minimal trauma, but CT-scan is the gold standard for complex trauma. Helical CT and multidetector row CT simplify the emergency imaging of horizontal struts (skull base, orbital floor, alveolar ridge and palate). The diagnosis, and sometimes the treatment of complications may require CT cisternography, MRI and angiography.

review mechanisms and classification of paranasal sinuses trauma; present the imaging techniques with special emphasis on CT; describe paranasal sinuses trauma features and pseudo-fracture patterns; describe complications and associated injuries.