Craniofacial Fracture Symptoms

Abstract

Apart from the classical midface fracture signs, there are certain (direct) and uncertain (indirect) clinical symptoms indicating additional skull base fractures. Liquorrhea, clinically visible bony prolaps, dislocated bony fragments and intracranial air (CCT) or dislocated skull base fragments (CCT) indicate skull base fractures with dural laceration (Hausamen and Schmelzeisen 1996;Messerklinger and Naumann 1995;Joss et al. 2001).

Zygomaticomaxillary buttress and its dilemma

“…Complex fractures lead to impairment of the infraorbital nerve (temporarily or permanently) due to trauma or impingement on its bony canal. Impingement of the infraorbital nerve by dislocated bone fragments indicates surgical correction 10 11 . Dislocation of the fractured fragment in the medial direction can lead to impaired coronoid function, and thus impaired opening of the mouth.…”

Frontobasal Fractures

“…Spontaneous recoveries may occur 3 to 6 months after the trauma. 137,138 CN VI (abducens nerve) can be injured along its intracranial course by fractures of the skull base, especially temporal bone fractures and fractures of the lateral orbital wall. 139,140 The pressure of an epidural hematoma might also cause a paresis of CN VI.…”

Postoperative Evaluation of Silicone Airway Splint in Nasal Bone Fracture Treatment

“…Some simple fractures can be displayed well on dedicated X-ray projections. On the other hand, complex fractures can only be partially evaluated because of the overlap of the various structures in the craniofacial skeleton, the complexity of which demands considerable expertise in evaluation [ 2 ]. Using computed tomography (CT) is limited due to the cost and radiation exposure; however, studies with CT are necessary for objective evaluation.…”