Abstract

Background
s : Facial trauma is presented as various situations. As a diagnostic modality, a conventional X-ray study has been to be inaccurate in finding the possible fracture of the facial bone. Thus, it is important to select more accurate radiologic modalities for early detection and management of fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare computed tomography with conventional X-ray studies and to determine the usefulness of computed tomography in patients with facial trauma. M e t h o d s : The medical records and radiologic findings of conventional X-ray studies and computed tomography in 45 patients with facial trauma, who visited our emergency room from July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2001, were reviwed retrospectively. The Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of conventional X-ray study were calculated based on formal readings of computed tomography. The differences between conventional X-ray studies and computed tomography were also calculated by using the Fisher’s exact test. Results : The male-to-female ratio and the mean age were 3.5 and 38.3 yrs, respectively. On comparison with computed tomography, the sensitivity and the specificity of conventional X-ray studies were 47.6% and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 68.6%, respectively. Conclusions : We suggest that computed tomography may be a more useful radiologic modality than conventional an X-ray study in finding possible fractures of facial bones.

• Keywords: Computed tomography, Facial trauma