Evaluation of Fractured Condylar Head Along the Sagittal Plane: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

There are case reports of sagittal fractures of the condylar head leading to bifid condyle. However bifid condyles maybe found in patients with no history of trauma. A split in the saggital plane of the condyle is not visible with a lateral, oblique or panaromic radiographs but only with anteriorposterior, transorbital projections or CT scan of the temperomandibular joint. The chances of condyle being split in the sagittal plane may be due to the medial pole extending beyond the condylar neck, moreover the condyle is composed of cancellous bone covered by a thin layer of cortical bone. Here we are presenting three case reports of Saggital split condyles and stress the need for inclusion of these type of fractures in the classification of condylar fractures.