Characteristics of associated craniofacial trauma in patients with head injuries: An experience with 100 cases

Abstract

Background:Facial fractures and concomitant cranial injuries carry the significant potential for mortality and neurological morbidity mainly in young adults.Aims and Objectives:To analyze the characteristics of head injuries and associated facial injuries, the management options and outcome following cranio-facial trauma.Methods:This retrospective review was performed at Justice K. S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, and associated A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Following Ethical Committee approval, hospital charts and radiographs of 100 consecutive patients of cranio-facial trauma managed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Neurosurgery between January 2004 and December 2004 were reviewed.Results:Majority of the patients were in the 2nd to 4th decade (79%) with a male to female ratio of -8.09:1. Road traffic accidents were the common cause of craniofacial trauma in present study (54%) followed by fall from height (30%). Loss of consciousness was the most common clinical symptom (62%) followed by headache (33%). Zygoma was the most commonly fractured facial bone 48.2% (alone 21.2%, in combination 27.2%). Majority of patients had mild head injury and managed conservatively in present series. Causes of surgical intervention for intracranial lesions were compound depressed fracture, contusion and intracranial hematoma. Operative indications for facial fractures were displaced facial bone fractures. Major causes of mortality were associated systemic injuries.Conclusion:Adult males are the most common victims in craniofacial trauma, and road traffic accidents were responsible for the majority. Most of the patients sustained mild head injuries and were managed conservatively. Open reduction and internal fixation with miniplates was used for displaced facial bone fractures.

Comparative study of earthquake-related and non-earthquake-related head traumas using multidetector computed tomography

“…Additionally, male patients were also more common in the non-earthquake group than in the earthquake group. These differences were consistent with previous reports 9,10. This difference possibly reflects the tendency of young and middle-aged male patients to engage in riskier social behaviors.…”

“…The crush injuries caused by building collapses do not involve notable head motion after the initial collision. However, everyday traumas, such as those resulting from traffic collisions, cause deceleration injuries, which can also result in countercoup injuries from the relative motion of the brain 10,. Therefore, deceleration-related brain injuries are more common in non-earthquake-related head traumas and seem to cause more complicated brain injuries, such as the brain contusions and lacerations seen in this study.…”

Split calvarial bone graft for the reconstruction of skull defects

“…[1259–15] Most calvarial reconstructions are performed immediately unless the wound is infected. If infection is present, the reconstruction must be delayed until the infection has been treated.…”

Characteristics of patients who died from traumatic brain injury in two rural hospital emergency departments in Maharashtra, India, 2007-2009

“…This is of concern because even if patients are provided with optimum care in emergency departments,(ED) the lack of prehospital care may be associated with unfavorable health outcomes. [ 12 13 14 15 ] All transportation is by personal and private ground vehicles, or ambulances without trained paramedics, and there is no air-based evacuation and transportation system. [ 12 16 ] When appropriate field triage, transfer and emergency services are available, the short- and long-term outcomes from injury can potentially be improved.…”