Epidemiology and Outcome of Management of Frontal Sinus Fractures

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Maxillofacial Surgery, General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

2 Lecturer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department Faculty of Dentistry. Beni-Suef University، Egypt.

3 Lecturer, Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Beni-Suef University, Egypt.

4 Lecturer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Assiut University, Egypt

5 Professor, Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Qassim College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

6 Lecturer, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry. Beni-Suef University

Abstract

Background:
Fractures of the frontal sinus constitute 5-15% of all facial fractures The most common cause of frontal bone fractures is motor vehicle accidents. Treatment guidelines for frontal sinus fractures aren’t universal. Complications of frontal sinus fractures can be subdivided into acute (less than 6 weeks), and chronic (more than 6 weeks).

Patients and methods:
A retrospective study included 256 patients diagnosed with frontal sinus fractures. Age ranges from 7 to73 years, all cases were treated at Assiut University Hospitals, from January 2008 to December 2018. Follow-up data for 5 years were collected from the maxillofacial outpatient clinic.


Results:
Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of frontal sinus fractures accounting for 125 patients (49 %), followed by being hit by hard objects in 53 patients (21%), falling from height in 44 patients (17%), and other injuries in 34 patients (13%). Isolated frontal sinus fracture was the most common fracture pattern presented in 121 (47.2%) patients, whereas posterior table fractures showed the least incidence of frontal sinus fracture pattern presented in 41 (16%) patients. In this study, 95 patients (37.1%) were treated conservatively, and 161 patients (62.8%) had surgical interference Most common complication occurred following treatment of frontal sinus fractures was Chronic headaches in 51 patients (20%) whereas the least complication happened was meningitis in only two patients (0.7%).


Conclusion:
Road traffic accidents are the most common etiology of frontal sinus fractures. Teamwork is required for the proper management of such cases.
Keywords: Frontal sinus, Fracture.

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