Bony injuries in association with minor head injury: lessons for improving the diagnosis of facial fractures.

One hundred consecutive admissions for minor head injury over a 12-week period in 1992 were analysed for all associated bony injuries. Fractures of the facial bones were found to be the commonest concurrent injury. A number of these were missed in the Accident and Emergency Department either due to inadequate radiographic views or incomplete recognition of clinical and radiological findings. A protocol for assessment of injury to the head and face is suggested.