CT evaluation of otorrhagia associated with condylar fractures

To assess a simplified CT evaluation of otorrhagia due to condylar fracture, 16 patients with post-traumatic otorrhagia underwent axial CT of the petrous bones and coronal CT of the temporo-mandibular joints (TMJs). Bilateral high condylar fractures were demonstrated in seven patients. Unilateral subcondylar fracture dislocations with contralateral high condylar fractures were demonstrated in the other nine patients. The otorrhagia was always ipsilateral to a high condylar fracture. Otorrhagia due to condylar fractures occurred when the fracture was bilateral and ipsilateral to a high condylar fracture. The diagnostic procedure of choice is coronal CT of the TMJs which should be carried out if axial CT of the petrous bones showed them to be intact.