Comparison of Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Patients with and without Facial Fractures

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Facial fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are significant global health issues.
• Understanding the relationship between facial fractures and TBI patterns is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the demographic, clinical, and imaging characteristics of brain injuries associated with facial fractures.
• To compare patients with facial fractures (FF) to those without (non-FF) regarding associated brain injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 492 polytrauma patients (January 2019 - July 2023).
• Patients were categorized into FF and non-FF groups.
• Data collected included demographics, trauma mechanism, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), patient outcomes, and imaging findings.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive tests, Chi-square, and regression analyses (p < 0.05 significance).

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between brain injuries and facial fractures (p < 0.001, AOR 1.7).
• The most common facial fracture was the zygoma bone (28.1%).
• Subdural hematoma was the most frequent brain injury in the FF group (23.4%), while intraparenchymal hematoma was most common in the non-FF group (29%).

Conclusions:

• Patients with facial fractures showed a higher association with specific brain injuries compared to those without.
• While demographic factors and outcomes were similar, differences in brain injury patterns and ICU admission rates were noted.
• Facial fracture assessment should consider potential associated brain injuries.