PRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 100 No. 10 October 2007
Assessment of Zygomatic Arch Fracture Using
Ultrasonography: A Case Report
Hiromi Nagano and Kousuke Yoshifuku
(Ooshima Prefecture Hospital)
Yuichi Kurono
(Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences)
Zygomatic arch fracture is a common facial fracture. The diagnosis of zygomatic fracture is usually performed by X-p, CT scan, and 3D-CT. During surgery, assessment is commonly performed by palpation only. Although the diagnosis and intraoperative assessment of zygomatic fracture by ultrasonography is not popular, ultrasonography is an easy, quick, and noninvasive method and is free from any risk.
We present the case report of a 38-year-old female with zygomatic body, arch, and maxillary fracture diagnosed by X-p, CT scan, and ultrasonography. To repair the zygomatic arch, temporal skin incision was made and closed reduction was performed following Gillies method. Ultrasonographic examination was performed during surgery to assess bone alignment.
The findings suggest that ultrasonography is a useful visualizing tool to assess the alignment of the zygomatic arch.
Key words : zygomatic arch fracture, ultrasonography, diagnosis, intraoperative assessment, Gillies method