Results of a Clinical Scoring System Regarding Symptoms and Surgical Treatment of Isolated Unilateral Zygomatico-Orbital Fractures: A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis of 461 Cases

Clinical Significance of Diplopia and the Orthoptic Examination in Zygomatic Maxillary Complex Fractures

Literature describes variable rates of diplopia of associated with zygomatic maxillary complex (ZMC) fractures (6% to 40%). The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the prevalence of diplopia in ZMC fracture patients, the usefulness of the orthoptic evaluation compared with the clinical finger-tracking examination, and to seek possible relations of this symptom with clinical parameters. Data of patients attending the Maxillofacial Surgery Units of the University of Messina and University of Naples "Federico II", between January 2012 and December 2022 were retrieved. Statistical analysis of positive versus negative diplopia at both the clinical examination and the orthoptic evaluation and subgroup analysis were performed. 320 patients were included in the analysis. 50 (15.6%) patients reported diplopia at the clinical examination, whereas 70 (21.9%) resulted positive at the orthoptic evaluation. Statistical analysis for every determinant and subgroup did not show statistical significance ( P >0.05). Performing routine preoperative orthoptic evaluation allowed an increase of 6.3% in positive reports. Although it seems that no basic clinical parameter can predict diplopia, results suggest that the orthoptic evaluation is superior in the assessment of this symptom. Clinical analysis was shown to be a moderate/low efficient test and should not be used as a decisional standard.

Imaging of traumatic mandibular fractures in young adults using CT-like MRI: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

To assess and compare the diagnostic performance of CT-like images based on a three- dimensional (3D) T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo sequence (3D T1 GRE) with CT in patients with acute traumatic fractures of the mandible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects with acute mandibular fractures diagnosed on conventional CT were prospectively recruited and received an additional 3 T MRI with a CT-like 3D T1 GRE sequence. The images were assessed by two radiologists with regard to fracture localization, degree of dislocation, and number of fragments. Bone to soft tissue contrast, diagnostic confidence, artifacts, and overall image quality were rated using a five-point Likert-scale. Agreement of measurements was assessed using an independent t-test.

RESULTS

Fourteen subjects and 22 fracture sites were included (26 ± 3.9 years; 4 females, 10 males). All traumatic fractures were accurately detected on CT-like MRI (n = 22, κ 1.00 (95% CI 1.00-1.00)). There was no statistically significant difference in the assessment of the fracture dislocation (axial mean difference (MD) 0.06 mm, p = 0.93, coronal MD, 0.08 mm, p = 0.89 and sagittal MD, 0.04 mm, p = 0.96). The agreement for the fracture classification as well as the inter- and intra-rater agreement was excellent (range κ 0.92-0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99)).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of mandibular fractures was feasible and accurate using CT-like MRI based on a 3D T1 GRE sequence and is comparable to conventional CT.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

For the assessment of acute mandibular fractures, CT-like MRI might become a useful alternative to CT in order to reduce radiation exposure particularly in young patients.