Three-dimensional evaluation of healing joint morphology after closed treatment of condylar fractures

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Bone Remodeling After Closed Treatment for Mandibular Condylar Head Fracture

Closed treatment of mandibular condylar fractures has been used for its indications based on the fracture site, fracture status, and patient age. Posttreatment mandibular condyle size is associated with mandibular function; however, a few studies have reported bone remodeling patterns and volume changes in the condyle and glenoid fossa after mandibular condylar head fractures (CHFs). Therefore, volumetric changes in the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa were analyzed in the present study, and bone remodeling patterns were evaluated after mandibular CHFs. The present study included 16 condyles from 12 patients who received closed treatment for CHF. After reconstruction of a 3-dimensional skull model, including the mandible, using computed tomography data taken immediately after injury and 6 months after treatment, volume changes in the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa were analyzed. The condylar volume increased by 0.32±0.66 cm3 during the 6-month healing period without statistical significance (P=0.093). Regarding the glenoid fossa, the fossa showed a statistically significant volume increase of 0.41±0.59 cm3 (P=0.021), and 12 glenoid fossae (75%) showed downward bone apposition; however, no change or only mild bone resorption was observed in 4 glenoid fossae (25%). The results of this study indicated that the volume changes in the mandibular condyle after closed treatment of a mandibular CHF are not significant, and the glenoid fossa adapts to the displaced mandibular condyle through downward growth accompanied by volume increase.

Evaluation and Prediction of Healing Morphology After Closed Reduction for Unilateral Mandibular Condyle Fractures: A Retrospective Study

Although closed reduction is common for condylar fractures, bone fragments may heal improperly. This study aimed to investigate the healing morphology of unilateral condylar fractures. We retrospectively investigated 70 patients with unilateral condylar fractures. Clinico-statistical analyses were performed on the whole-condylar fracture, closed reduction, and observation/functional therapy groups. Among these patients, 52 patients aged older than 16 years underwent closed reduction. The extent of maximum mouth opening, the incidence of malocclusion, and the relationship between healing morphology and Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification or trismus were analyzed in the closed reduction group. There were significant differences in age (P=0.008) and sex (P=0.025) between the closed reduction and observation/functional therapy groups. However, there were no significant differences in trauma etiologies and concomitant fractures between the 2 groups. The average maximum mouth opening extent for unilateral fractures after closed reduction was 42.6±6.1 mm. Only 1 case (2.1%) of post-treatment malocclusion was observed. In all the MacLennan classification of deviation or more, regardless of the classification, upper fractures (head and upper neck) tended to heal through a spherical (P<0.001) morphology, whereas lower fractures (lower neck and subcondylar) tended to heal through an L-shaped and lateral fusion (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of trismus between the healing morphology of unchanged type and others (P=0.690). Our results elucidated the etiology, dysfunction, and healing morphology classification of unilateral mandibular condyle fractures treated with closed reduction.

"Does Mandibular Condylar Morphology After Fracture Healing Predict Functional Outcomes in Patients Treated With Closed Reduction?"

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to assess the healing temporomandibular joint morphology and function after closed treatment of unilateral mandibular condylar fracture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective interventional cohort study was designed in patients recruited from the outpatient department who underwent closed reduction for unilateral condylar fractures, and mean mouth opening, mean maximum protrusion, laterotrusion, and radiological pattern of healing were noted.

RESULTS

Forty patients in the age group of 18-50 years (mean 24.5 years) were included. The difference between the pretreatment mean mouth opening (26.94 mm), mean maximum protrusion (1.22 mm), and laterotrusion (3.82 mm and 1.45 mm) values and the 6-month post-treatment values (46.3 mm, 4.45 mm, and 11.82 mm and 9.82 mm, respectively) was found to be statistically significant (P < .001). Deranged pretreatment occlusion seen in 20 cases was improved in 18 patients (85%) at the 6-month post-treatment visit, with persisting malocclusion in 2 patients (5%). Clinically, cases that had healed with the anatomical pattern (M1) were found to have significantly better clinical outcomes (P value < .05) than that achieved with cases healed with spherical pattern (M2), L-shaped pattern (M3), or detached pattern (M4). On radiographs, the greatest improvement (21.16 mm) in mean mouth opening values was seen in the M1 group (anatomical pattern), followed by similar improvement in groups M2 and M3 (18.39 and 18.66 mm, respectively). Least improvement (7.06 mm) was seen in the single case of the M4 group (detached pattern), although the 6-month post-treatment value was still an acceptable one (34 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Favorable functional outcomes can be achieved after closed treatment, including adequate mouth opening, pain-free jaw excursions, and stable occlusion, with the anatomical healing pattern showing the most superior results and the detached pattern being associated with relatively poorer outcomes compared with other healing patterns.

Radiographic evaluation in three dimensions of condylar fractures with closed treatment in children and adolescents

The study aimed at investigating a new three-dimensional classification of healing morphology in condylar fractures in children and adolescents after closed treatment, and establish its association with fracture type and clinical outcomes. The medical records of children and adolescents with condylar fracture were reviewed, retrospectively. The clinical outcomes were assessed by mandibular deviation during mouth opening, Helkimo anamnestic index (Ai), and Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (Di). The condylar healing morphology was evaluated through three-dimensional CT images after 1-2 years of follow-up. In total, 96 patients with 142 condylar fracture sites were included in the study. Condylar healing morphology was classified into three main patterns: unchanged (21.13%), spherical (62.68%), and irregular (16.19% - including the three subtypes triangular, L-shaped, and Y-shaped). There was a significant difference in the distribution of the three main healing patterns among various fracture types (p = 0.0227). Irregular patterns occurred more frequently in adolescents than in children. In unilateral fractures, no obvious association was found between condylar healing morphology and clinical outcomes, including mandibular deviation during mouth opening (p = 0.162), Ai (p = 0.0991) and Di (p = 0.25). Most patients healing in different condylar patterns reached a good clinical outcome after 1-2 years. Although the healing morphology of condylar fractures in children and adolescents remained abnormal, good clinical outcome was achieved over the 2-year follow-up. Therefore, closed treatment remains a good approach.

Does magnitude of deformity correlate with functional outcome following closed reduction in unilateral condylar fracture?

Introduction: Condyle fracture can be treated surgically (ORIF) or conservatively (CTR). When treated by CTR, the fracture might not heal in a morphologically ideal shape. The severity of the deformity and its effects on the functional outcome is not known. This study would investigate the anatomical outcome of CTR and its effect on the functional outcome. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we enrolled patients identified from our trauma census that meets the pre-determined inclusion criteria. Patient underwent assessment which involves clinical and radiographic evaluation. Clinical examination was done by using Helkimo Index. Radiographic evaluation by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan were traced and digitized, and the position and morphology of the fractured mandibular condyle was measured and compared with those of the contralateral non-fractured condyle in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes. Radiographic data was then compared with data from clinical examination. Results: 25 patients with unilateral condyle fracture and met the inclusion criteria were identified. Eight patients were successfully recalled and included in the study. Assessment was done on average of 40 months post-treatment. Clinical assessment with Helkimo Index showed that 63% had at least mild temporomandibular symptoms or dysfunction. CBCT examinations revealed that most patients had morphologically deformed healed condyle. No pattern can be seen in the magnitude of deformity with functional outcome. Conclusions: Following CTR, condyle fracture would heal in a morphologically deformed shape. Satisfactory functional outcome is still attainable despite this. The magnitude of the deformity does not appear to influence the functional outcome.