Computed Tomography (CT)

CT scans have a number of advantages over plain radiographs and tomograms:

 

1. No difficult positioning of patient

2. No movement of cervical spine

3. Continuing ventilatory measures not compromised

4. High– quality images unaffected by soft-tissue oedema and haemorrhage

5. Better definition of difficult to image areas

6. Concurrent injuries can also be evaluated.

 

            

Many scanners can produce a 3-D image of the facial skeleton which can be of value when planning surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accurate assessment of facial fractures has been greatly improved with the introduction of CT scans. This enables definitive surgery to be planned and allows decisions to be made in advance.