© 2019 Scholars Journal of Dental Sciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 10 Scholars Journal of Dental Sciences Abbreviated Key Title: Sch J Dent Sci ISSN 2394-4951 (Print) | ISSN 2394-496X (Online) Journal homepage: http://saspjournals.com/sjds Role of 3D-CT in Management of Maxillofacial Trauma Abdul Salik 1 , Shaikh Amjad 1* , MD Kalim Ansari 2 , Tabishur Rahman 2 1 Department of Dentistry, Indian Institute of Medical Science & Research, Jalna Maharashtra, India 2 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India *Corresponding author: Shaikh Amjad | Received: 15.01.2019 | Accepted: 25.01.2019 | Published: 30.01.2019 DOI: 10.21276/sjds.2019.6.1.4 Abstract Original Research Article Introduction: Maxillofacial trauma usually presents in the Emergency Department (Casualty) as either an isolated injury or as a part of polytrauma. Due to the evolution of more effective emergency transportation facilities and advanced life support, even patients that are severely injured survive to reach specialized trauma centres which are increasing successful in rescuing patients. Objective: The purpose of our study was to describe the advantages of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images over axial images in the imaging of patients with facial fractures and to describe and compare the detection of fractures in the axial and coronal planes. Materials and Methods: The study population included 30 patients who underwent 3D-CT evaluation of facial bones when they presented with evidence of fracture of maxillofacial bones to the casualty and Department of Dentistry at Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research. Evaluates various fractures involving the facial bones that were detected in these patients. MDCT evaluation is done only on patients who satisfy the inclusion criteria and only after getting their consent. All the 3D- CT scans in this study were performed using 6-Slice CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Emot-6). 3D images were compared with axial images and assessed under the headings – fracture detection, extent of fracture and displacement. Coronal images were compared with axial images for detection of fractures. Results: In this study group which comprised of a total number of 30 patients, the age at presentation ranged from <20 to >61 yrs. The NOE, Maxilla and Mandible was noted to be the most commonly involve bone with 23.3% of patients having a fracture in this bone. Zygomatic bone region was the next commonly affected region with fractures detected in 20% of patients. Frontal bone fractures were less common in the five regions of the face studied with 10% of patients detected to have fractures in that region. Conclusion: The advantages of 3D images in the assessment of facial trauma could be described especially in mandible and zygomatic bone. The easier detection of fractures in the frontal and maxillary bones as well as their displacement in patients with complex mid facial fractures could be described. The coronal reconstructed images were superior in the detection of fractures in the orbit and maxilla. 3D images have a limited role in fractures involving the naso-orbito-ethmoid region and also when there is minimal fracture displacement. Keywords: Facial Injury; MDCT; Trauma. Copyright @ 2019: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use (NonCommercial, or CC-BY-NC) provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION Maxillofacial trauma usually presents in the Emergency Department (Casualty) as either an isolated injury or as a part of poly-trauma. Such injuries are clinically important as the disruption of soft tissues and bones of the face causing facial disfigurement and asymmetry which may cause Functional, cosmetic as well as emotional concerns [1]. Their incidence ranges from 20% to over 50% of cases admitted to Traumatic Emergency Room. The most frequent causes of these Maxillofacial Trauma include Road Traffic Injuries (up to 80% of cases), use of a direct force, mostly during an assault, Interpersonal violence (up to 60% of cases), falls (up to 25% of cases), and accidents during sports (up to 10% of cases) [2]. Imaging examination is an essential component of diagnosis and treatment planning for the management of traumatic patients. However Modern imaging modalities, especially 3-D images permit a direct view of anatomic relationships, enhanced by the ability to observe images from any angle-with operator control of image rotation and magnification [3]. 3-Dimensional CT, have been shown to be of value in the assessment and management of acute facial trauma [4]. 3-Dimensional images provide a global view of the face, superior in localization of complex fractures involving multiple planes, in perception of fracture displacement and in the assessment of facial symmetry, Surgeons frequently need to make their own evaluation of the degree of skeletal disruption revealed by imaging studies when