Comparison of diagnostic utility of ultrasonography and CT scan in detection of mandibular fracture

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasonography allows to the examination of soft tissue and osseous tissues in the head and neck region. This study compared the accuracy of ultrasonography and CT scan in the diagnosis of mandibular fractures. Methods: In this study, spiral CT scan was prescribed for the lower face and, if necessary, midface and upper facein 42 trauma patients suspected of mandibular fractures, referring to Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz. Two radiologists evaluated the CT scans. Then, another radiologist examined all the patients with ultrasonography with a frequency of 7–12 MHz. Ultrasonographic diagnostic results were recorded and compared with the results of the CT scan examinations. Results: Ultrasonography specificity and sensitivity was 100% and 91.1%, respictively. The USG sensitivities in the angle, condyle, condylar neck and symphysis fractures were 100%, 91.6%, 85.7%, and 80%, respectively, and the specificity was 100% in all the anatomical regions. Among the confounding factors, the sensitivity of the USG (84.6%) was the lowest in the presence of hematoma;however, its specificity remained 100%. One case of symphysis fracturewas not detected in the absence of any confounding factors in ultrasonography examination. Conclusion: The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the USG for the mandibular fractureswere at high levels, but there were some limitations, making it difficult to definitively replace ultrasonography with CT scans.