Medial maxillary (nasomaxillary buttress) fracture: Two case reports

Abstract

Rationale: Medial maxillary fractures are defined as fractures of the medial aspect of the maxilla, that is, fractures of the nasomaxillary buttress. The diagnosis of medial maxillary (nasomaxillary buttress) fractures is challenging because of its similarities with nasal, and naso-orbito-ethmoidal (NOE) fractures.Patient concern: The patients included a 17-year-old Japanese man and a 37-year-old Japanese woman with facial injuries. Swelling of the affected cheek, nasal hemorrhage, periorbital ecchymosis, and C-shaped deviation of the nasal dorsum with normal nasal tip and root position were observed. Mild hypesthesia was noted in the affected region innervated by the left infraorbital nerve. Telecanthus, double vision, eye movement disorder, epiphora, trismus, tooth fracture, and malocclusion were absent in both cases.Diagnosis: Based on clinical signs and imaging findings, the patients were diagnosed with medial maxillary (nasomaxillary buttress) fracture.Intervention: The 17-year-old man underwent a reduction of the medial aspect of the maxillary bone with the treatment of concomitant fractures, and the 37-year-old woman did not request treatment.Lessons: Medial maxillary (nasomaxillary buttress) fractures are not included in any current classification of the maxillary fracture patterns. As medial maxillary (nasomaxillary buttress) fractures are similar to nasal, and NOE fractures, careful differential diagnosis is required before selecting the surgical procedure to be performed because the treatment of concomitant fractures is also necessary.