title: Acute facial trauma in falling accidents: MDCT analysis of 500 patients.
abstract: The aim of this study is to assess multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of facial trauma due to a falling accident. Using picture-archiving and communications system, we retrieved all MDCT requests for suspected facial injury during a 62-month period. Images were interpreted by two researchers. Five hundred patients met the inclusion criteria and 329 (66%) had a total of 515 fractures. Falls on stairs were seen in 109 (22%) patients and slips or trips in 391 (78%). The corresponding number of fractures was 169 (33%) and 346 (67%). Males (N = 241) had more fractures than females (N = 259), 327 vs. 188, respectively. The zygomatic complex was the most common fracture, seen in 40% of patients suffering a fracture. Twenty patients (4%) had fractures involving the sinus walls without paranasal sinus effusions. Facial fractures due to falls are common. The zygomatic complex is the most common fracture. A clear sinus sign may be less reliable than previously thought.
authors.affiliation: Helsinki Medical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Töölö Trauma Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Topeliuksenkatu 5, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. elina.m.salonen@hus.fi
authors.forename: Elina M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: Mika P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Koivikko
authors.forename: Seppo K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Koskinen
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*