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Quantitative ultrasonographic diagnostics for midface and mandible fractures
Fritjof Lentge1, Philipp Jehn1, Alexander-Nikolai Zeller1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, Hannover 30625, Germany.
Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
|February 22, 2022
Summary
Ultrasonography and computed tomography show no significant differences in measuring facial skull fracture dislocations. This suggests ultrasonography is an adequate, radiation-free diagnostic alternative for facial fractures.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
Background:
- Facial skull fractures require accurate measurement of dislocation for effective treatment.
- Computed tomography (CT) is a standard imaging modality, but involves radiation exposure.
- Ultrasonography (US) offers a potential alternative for imaging bone structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) versus three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) in measuring fracture dislocation in facial skull fractures.
- To determine if US can provide comparable measurements to 3D CT for facial fractures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 16 patients with 29 facial skull fractures treated between January and August 2019.
- Measurements of largest fracture dislocation were taken using both high-resolution CT and 10 mHz US.
- Paired t-test was used for statistical comparison of measurements, with a p-value of 0.05.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found between US and CT measurements for all fracture locations (p-values ranging from 0.17 to 0.85).
- Ultrasonography demonstrated capability in both detecting and quantifying dislocation in various facial fractures.
- Specific fracture types included zygomatic arch, lateroorbital, maxilla/zygomatic bone, mandible, and frontal sinus.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonography provides comparable results to computed tomography for measuring dislocation in facial skull fractures.
- US is a viable and adequate imaging procedure for facial fractures in clinical practice.
- Utilizing ultrasonography can help avoid additional radiation exposure for patients, offering a valuable diagnostic alternative.
