Violence-related facial trauma: analysis of multidetector computed tomography findings of 727 patients

OBJECTIVES: The multidetector CT (MDCT) findings of facial trauma in victims of interpersonal violence were assessed. METHODS: All MDCT requests for suspected facial injury during a 62 month period were retrieved; 727 cases met the inclusion criteria. Images were interpreted by two researchers by consensus. RESULTS: Of the 727 patients (aged 15-86 years old, mean 37), 583 (80.2%) were male and 144 (19.8%) female. Of all the patients, 74% had a fracture, and of these 44% had multiple non-contiguous fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Violence is a very common cause of facial injury. Nasal and orbital fractures predominate. Males are more often involved; they are younger, sustain fractures more often and significantly more often present with high-energy fracture patterns. LeFort fractures are often unilateral or asymmetrical, and are frequently accompanied by other, clinically significant fractures. Up to 25% of patients with fractures do not have paranasal sinus effusions.