title: Limitations of B-scan ultrasound for diagnosing fractures of the mandibular condyle and ramus.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the applications and limitations of B-scan ultrasonography for diagnosing fractures of the mandibular condyle and ramus. Thirty-two patients with 39 radiologically proven fractures of the mandibular condyle and ramus were included in the study. The patients were examined with a 7.5 MHz small-part applicator. Five patients without fractures of the facial skeleton acted as controls. Normal sonoanatomical findings had been obtained for patients without mandibular fractures. B-scan ultrasonography enabled the experienced examiner to identify dislocated fractures of the mandibular ramus and the articular process in 67% of the fractures. The main disadvantage of ultrasonography was the inability of this technique to identify non-dislocated fractures. Because of its low sensitivity and specificity, B-scan ultrasonography does not provide an alternative to X-ray diagnosis of mandibular condyle and ramus fractures.
authors.affiliation: Nordwestdeutsche Kieferklinik, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. rfriedri@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Plambeck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartel-Friedrich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giese
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmelzle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography