[Quantitative evaluation of thermosensitivity in patients with mandibular fractures].

AIM: The temperature and pain thresholds of 30 patients with mandibular fractures were evaluated with a specially developed measuring device in a prospective study to examine neurosensory disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Measurements in 30 patients with 45 mandibular fractures were done before, immediately after, and over the course of half a year after operation. Outcomes of the thermosensitivity measurement (TSM) were compared to the results of the two point discrimination (2-PD) test, sharp/blunt test (SBT), and questioning the patients about their subjective feelings (SF).

RESULTS

Post-traumatically, neurosensory testing revealed up to 2.8 degrees C (mean) increased thresholds as compared with the intact side. By contrast, post operative diagnostics clearly revealed up to 8.1 degrees C (mean) increased thresholds. Compared with the clinical sensory tests, the post-therapeutic (3-6 months postoperative) measurements with the TSM device proved a resensitization and threshold decrease by up to 3 degrees C. We found more exact and reproducible results of the TSM in comparison to those of the 2-PD and SBT for the evaluation of sensory disturbances of the IAN. Close agreements between the results of the TSM and the SF could be detected.

CONCLUSION

Because of its sensitivity and accuracy in the quantitative detection of temperature and pain thresholds, the TSM is particularly suitable for evaluating neurosensory deficits and monitoring their progression.