title: Maxillofacial trauma patterns associated with external auditory canal fractures: Cone beam computed tomography analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a paucity of literature on external auditory canal (EAC) fractures secondary to maxillofacial trauma, with most of the literature on EAC fractures consisting of isolated case reports. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study to use cone beam computed tomography to evaluate the EAC region. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of external auditory canal (EAC) fracture following maxillofacial trauma and to evaluate the association between EAC fracture and other maxillofacial fractures and the region of trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients were prospectively evaluated over 6 months from February to August 2016. The patients were referred for CBCT regarding temporomandibular joint or condylar fractures following maxillofacial trauma. Two observers (both experienced radiologists) assessed the EAC and associated fractures in the maxillofacial region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  External auditory canal (EAC) fracture was confirmed in 32% of the patients. Of the EAC fractures, 68.75% and 31.25% were associated with mandibular fractures and non-mandibular fractures, respectively. Of the EAC fractures, 68.75% were single fractures and 31.25% of patients had multiple comminuted fractures. Significant association was observed on cross-tabulation of the fractured region and region of trauma with the presence of EAC fracture using chi-square test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External auditory canal (EAC) fracture is associated with maxillofacial fractures with increased incidence in mandibular fractures compared to non-mandibular fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ibrahim K
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3334-1317
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kaustubh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sansare
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Freny R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Karjodkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salve
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanga
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ajinkya M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pawar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: cone beam computed tomography; ear bleeding; external auditory canal; mandibular fractures; trauma