Features of cranio-maxillofacial trauma in the massive Sichuan earthquake: analysis of 221 cases with multi-detector row CT.
OBJECTIVE
In a massive earthquake, cranio-maxillofacial trauma was common. The present study was to determine the features of cranio-maxillofacial trauma sustained in the massive Sichuan earthquake by multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT).


METHODS
The study included 221 consecutive patients (123 males and 98 females; age range, 1-83 years; median age, 35 years) with cranio-maxillofacial trauma in the Sichuan earthquake, who underwent cranio-maxillofacial MDCT scans. The image data were retrospectively reviewed focusing on the injuries of the cranio-maxillofacial soft tissue, facial bones and cranium.


RESULTS
All patients had soft tissue injuries frequently with foreign bodies. Ninety-seven (43.9%) patients had fractures (1.5 involved sites per patient, range from 1 to 8) including single cranial fractures in 36 (37.1%) cases, single maxillofacial fractures were seen in 48 (49.5%) and cranio-maxillofacial fractures in 13 (13.4%). Single bone fracture was more common than multiple bone fractures (p<0.05). Nasal, ethmoid bones and the orbits were the most commonly involved sites of the craniofacial region. Thirty-eight (17.2%) patients had intracranial injuries, the commonest being subarachnoid haemorrhage and the commonest sites were the temporal and frontal regions. Coexisting intracranial injuries were more common in patients with cranial fractures than in patients with maxillofacial fractures (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the cranio-maxillofacial trauma arising from the massive Sichuan earthquake had some characteristic features, and a significant number of individuals had the potential for combined cranial and maxillofacial injuries, successful management of which required a multidisciplinary approach.
Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37# Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Zhi-gang
ZG
Chu
Zhi-gang
ZG
Yang
Zhi-hui
ZH
Dong
Tian-wu
TW
Chen
Zhi-yu
ZY
Zhu
Wen
W
Deng
Jia-he
JH
Xiao
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D020201:Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult