Abstract
PURPOSE
Fracture of the frontal bone can be accompanied by damage to the optic canal. The present study uses finite element analysis to identify fracture patterns, suggesting the involvement of the optic canal.
METHODS
Ten finite-element skull models were generated from computer tomography data of 10 persons. Then, dynamic analyses simulating collision of a 2-cm-radius brass ball to 6 regions on the frontal bone in the 10 models were performed. Fracture patterns presented by the frontal bone in the 60 experiments were observed, and all those involving the optic canal were selected. Commonalities of the selected fracture patterns were identified.
RESULTS
Fracture of the optic canal was observed in 9 of the 60 patients. In all 9 patients, fracture existed on the anterior and posterior walls of the frontal sinus and on the superior orbital wall.
CONCLUSION
When the anterior and posterior walls of the frontal sinus and the superior orbital wall are all broken, the optic canal is highly likely to be involved in the damage. When this pattern is observed in emergency examination, preventive decompression of the optic nerve should be considered to avoid potential occurrence of blindness.
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