title: Elderly patients with maxillofacial trauma: study of mandibular condyle fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the trends and characteristic features of mandibular condyle fractures in elderly patients in terms of etiology, patterns, and treatment modalities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 201 patients aged 65 years and older, who were treated for maxillofacial fractures at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyushu Dental University, and Tohoku University from January 2002 to December 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Patient records and radiographs were examined, with the following information: relevant medical history, cause of fracture, the presence and state of premolars and molars in the maxilla and mandible, number and location of mandible fracture, and method of treatment. As for the state of premolars and molars, premolars or molars in the mandible in contact with the maxilla were regarded as contacted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A fall was responsible for the majority of the fractures (173/201). With condyle fractures, there was a significant difference between the contacted and non-contacted group in regard to incidence. Furthermore, there was a significantly greater number of cases with symphysis and condyle combination fractures in the non-contacted group (70.9%) than in the contacted group (51.9%). As for the method of treatment, arthrocentesis was the most commonly employed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings suggest that contacted molars in the maxilla and mandible have an influence on condyle fractures in elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinnosuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nogami
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.forename: Bunichi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.forename: Kenko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Tetsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: elderly; mandibular condyle fractures; maxillofacial trauma