Case of Accidental Trauma Resulting in Condylar Fractures in 3-Month-Old

Maggie M Mouzourakis1, Sarah S Seo1,2, Resmiye Oral3,4

  • 1Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon NH, USA.

Case Reports in Dentistry
|October 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing infant mandibular fractures is difficult due to vague symptoms. This case highlights how a sublingual hematoma, initially concerning for abuse, was accurately diagnosed as accidental trauma through a multidisciplinary approach.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Traumatology
  • Craniofacial Surgery
  • Pediatric Radiology

Background:

  • Mandibular fractures are common pediatric craniofacial injuries, but rare in infants.
  • Diagnosis in infants is complicated by nonspecific symptoms and imaging limitations.
  • Sublingual hematoma (Coleman's sign) can be an indicator of mandibular trauma.