Comparison of computed tomography with conventional radiography for midfacial fractures

Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of computed tomography (CT ) with conventional radiography in midfacial fractures. Methods: The conventional radiographs (CM) and CT scans of 40 consecutive p atients with complex midfacial fractures were assessed independently by two examiners, The number and site of fractures of the orbit, zygoma and maxil la were compared by the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed Rank test. The best m ethod for classification of the fracture was determined. Results: Coronal CT (CCT) proved superior in the diagnosis of orbital fract ures (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between any of the imag ing methods for fractures of the zygoma. Axial CT (ACT) tvas the most effec tive method in imaging of maxillary fractures (BCT-CM; P<0.001? ACT-CCT; P< 0.01). CCT was the most useful in classification of orbital and maxillary f ractrue. Conclusion: CCT is superior to CM for the assessment of complex, midface fr actures.