title: Clinical predictors of mandibular fractures.
abstract: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and symptoms of mandibular fracture, a prospective study of emergency department patients presenting with mandibular trauma was undertaken. Patients with airway compromise, who were edentulous, or could not cooperate with the physical examination were excluded. Over a 1-year period, 119 patients were studied. The presence of malocclusion, trismus, facial asymmetry, or a positive result on the tongue blade test (inability to grasp and hold a tongue blade between the teeth) was significantly associated with a mandibular fracture. Malocclusion and facial asymmetry were strong predictors of fracture, and a negative result on the tongue blade test was a strong predictor of nonfracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center, 64108, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Genners
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008923:Missouri; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*