Mandibular fracture patterns consistent with posterior maxillary fractures involving the posterior maxillary sinus, pterygoid plate or both: CT characteristics

Abstract

Mandibular fractures accompanied by posterior maxillary fractures are not rare. The finding of a unilateral posterior maxillary fracture on CT may aid the efficient radiological examination of the mandible based on possible patterns of associated fractures, as follows: in the ipsilateral posterior region as a direct fracture when the impact is a medially directed force, and in the symphysis/parasymphysis or contralateral condylar neck as an indirect fracture.

Coincidence of mandibular fractures with isolated posterior maxillary sinus fractures

“…They set the prevalence for isolated posterior maxillary fractures at approximately 6%. 21 In the current study, the coincidence between mandibular fractures and isolated lateral and/or posterior maxillary sinus was 5%, which is consistent with the literature. In contrast, there was no statistically significant correlation between a specific fracture site of the mandible and the isolated maxillary sinus fracture.…”

“…However, their conclusion may be limited by the relatively small sample size of 22 patients . Imai et al . verified this hypothesis in their study with 194 patients.…”

“…They were also able to add symphysis/parasymphysis or contralateral condylar neck fractures as a possible coincidental indirect fracture. They set the prevalence for isolated posterior maxillary fractures at approximately 6% …”

Multidetector CT of Mandibular Fractures, Reductions, and Complications: A Clinically Relevant Primer for the Radiologist

“…OPG still has great utility as a first-line examination to screen for simple mandibular fractures in walk-in clinics where multidetector or cone-beam CT is not available (18). The staying power of panoramic radiography is attributable to its low cost, ease of use, wide availability, and lower radiation exposure (10).…”

“…The vertical units include the condylar head, neck, subcondylar region, coronoid process, ramus, and mandibular angle. The horizontal units correspond to the mandibular body, and the central anterior unit consists of the symphyseal and parasymphyseal regions (14,18) (Fig 3). The condyle articulates with the glenoid fossa to form the complex synovial temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (26).…”