Correlating facial fractures and cranial injuries.
OBJECTIVE
This study retrospectively evaluated individuals with traumatic injuries from different mechanisms and tried to determine if there is any relationship between various isolated or combined fractures of facial skeleton and cranial injuries.


METHODS
We retrospectively studied hospital charts of all patients who reported to the trauma center at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal with facial fractures and suspected cranial injuries during a 5-year period (January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999). These patients were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery or the Maxillofacial Unit of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The complete medical record of each patient was reviewed, recording the following in a standard format: age, gender, cause of injury, type of facial fractures, type of cranial bone fracture, concussion, intracranial injury, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, CSF otorrhea, and the Glasgow coma scale.


RESULTS
The study data were collected as part of retrospective analysis. A total of 12,329 patients reported to the trauma center of the study hospital during a 5-year period with various injuries. A total of 772 patients had facial fractures (6%). A total of 108 patients with a combination of cranial injuries and facial fractures were identified within this group (14%). Gender predilection was seen to favor males (90%) more than females (10%). The ratio was seen to be nearly 9:1. The ages of the patients ranged from 7 to 70 years with mean age being 32 years (standard deviation [SD] = +/-12). Central midfacial bone involvement was found to be more commonly associated with head injury.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a correlation between midfacial injuries and CNS trauma. A more exhaustive multicentric case-control study with a larger sample and additional parameters will be essential to reach definite conclusions regarding the spectrum of head injuries associated with facial fractures.
Pappachan
Biju
B
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Radhika Meghe Memorial Medical Trust, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. biju_pappachan@yahoo.com
Alexander
Mohan
M
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014193:Trauma Centers