The influence of application of 3D CT reconstructions on classification of maxillofacial fractures.

The aim of the paper was to study of the influence of application of three-dimensional CT reconstructions on diagnostics and classification of maxillofacial fractures. The material comprised 97 patients presenting with maxillofacial trauma who underwent CT examination in the 2nd Department of Medical Radiology of the Medical University of Lublin in the years 1995-2001. The CT examinations were performed using the Somatom AR-T machine in coronal and axial slices, 2 and 3 mm thick. Then the 3D CT reconstructions were obtained. All cases of trauma were classified according to Wanyura first on the basis of radiograms and CT examination, next on the basis of 3D CT reconstructions. The results of the two analyses differed in cases of properly diagnosed zygomatico-orbital fractures and orbitonasal dislocations, which were less numerous during the first reviewing. It was found that 3D CT reconstructions were generally useful in classifying the maxillofacial fractures with the exception of isolated orbital floor fractures.