Effect of alcohol intake on the radiographic quality in patients with midfacial trauma.

The initial reports on radiologic examinations in 618 consecutive patients with midfacial injuries were compared with the final clinical diagnoses. Alcohol had to some degree been imbibed by 31 per cent of the patients. Influence of alcohol was 3 times more common outside than within office hours. Radiographic analysis included estimation of blurring, errors in straightness, angulation, beam centering and limitation. Image quality was scored as visibility of 'the imaginary lines of bony continuity'. There was no statistically significant correlation between the degree of inebriety and image quality or diagnostic performance with the radiographic technique used, with the patient supine. There is no need to postpone midfacial radiography in inebriate patients.