Comparison of the efficacy of ultrasonography with computed tomography in the diagnosis of maxillomandibular fractures

Background: Head and neck trauma forms a major proportion of patients requiring maxillofacial care. Imaging is a vital part in the management of these patients. Many modalities exist that maybe utilized for the purpose of visualizing the fracture defects. Computed tomography (CT) scans have been considered the gold standard even with many disadvantages like associated radiation hazards, high cost factor, unavailability in rural healthcare setup, and time taken for the scans. Aim: Through our study, we aim to compare the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) and compare it with CT scan in the detection of maxillomandibular fractures. Materials and methods: Over a 2-year period, 50 patients suspected with zygomatico-complex (ZMC) or mandible fractures underwent clinical examination followed by radiographic assessment using ultrasound and CT scans. The sensitivity, specificity, and time taken to evaluate the fractures were determined and compared. Results: High correlation existed between USG and CT scan in the detection of the maxillomandibular fractures. The sensitivity was 95% and the specificity was 90% with a high positive predictive value. Conclusion: Apart from a few disadvantages like difficulty in interpretation of a film without a report or clinical correlation and examiner variability, the advantages associated with its use probably outweigh the shortcomings.