Imaging in facial trauma

Abstract

Trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Facial trauma is considered one of the most devastating lesions seen in trauma centers due to the possibility of brain lesions and the emotional consequences related to facial deformities. The most common mechanism that produces facial fractures is motor vehicle accident, followed by other blunt traumas like falls, aggression and sport accidents. Computed tomography (CT) has become the imaging standard of reference in evaluating these injuries and then give support for the clinicians and surgeons to approach such injuries in a logical and systematic fashion. The many presentations of facial trauma have proven to be real challenges in the functional and aesthetic reconstruction of these patients and so, good communication between the various professionals involved in the treatment of these patients is essential, especially between radiologists and surgeons. The objective of this review is to describe the main types of facial fractures and to discuss the most relevant imaging findings for the best choice of treatment