The role of primary head CT-scans in facial fractures.

In a retrospective study, initial CT-scans of 36 brain injury patients with facial fracture were analyzed. Fracture diagnosis before CT study was certain in 17, almost certain in 8, probable in 7 and possible in 4; and correspondingly after CT scan, certain in 32, almost certain in 4. CT study confirmed a positive working diagnosis in 17, excluded significant abnormality in 5, showed unexpected findings in 13, and failed to make any diagnosis in 1 case. By adjusting the window and level settings, the initial CT scans of brain injury patient gave very valuable informations concerning facial fractures in over half of the trauma cases (1936).