NASOPHARYNGEAL CAVITY NARROWING ASSOCIATED WITH POSTERIOR MAXILLA ANDPTERYGOID PLATE FRACTURE - REPORT OF 3 CASES

The CT appearances of three cases with severe nasopharyngeal cavity na rrowing are described. In all cases the facial trauma was due to a mot or vehicle accident. These cases demonstrate that posterior maxilla an d pterygoid plate fractures can cause significant nasopharyngeal soft tissues swelling, most likely due to haemorrhage and/or oedema. Severe nasopharyngeal cavity narrowing could cause difficulty in elective na sogastric tube and endotracheal tube intubation via the nasopharyngeal route. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.