The assessment of fracture of the mandibular condyle by use of computerized tomography. Incidence of sagittal split fracture

Abstract

A survey was carried out to clarify the incidence of sagittal splitting fracture of the mandibular condyle using computerized tomography. There were 33 patients, between 11 and 67 years of age, with displaced or dislocated mandibular condylar process fractures (41 cases), seen at our clinic between 1986 and 1992. The incidence of no displacement was 4.9%; deviation and displacement, 34.1%; dislocation, 46.3%; and complete avulsion, 4.9%. A sagittal splitting fracture of condyle occurred with an incidence of 9.8%. Conservative treatment was effective in the treatment of sagittal splitting fracture. Therefore, classification of fracture of mandibular condyle should include the sagittal split fracture, and investigations should include computerized tomography.