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Article

Nasofrontal Outflow Tract Visibility in Computed Tomography Imaging of Frontal Sinus Fractures

by
Kevin Bush
*,
Menno Huikeshoven
and
Nathan Wong
Department of Plastic Surgery, University of British Columbia, #808-1200 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6Z 2C7, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2013, 6(4), 237-239; https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1349214
Submission received: 17 December 2012 / Revised: 11 February 2013 / Accepted: 11 February 2013 / Published: 24 September 2013

Abstract

The choice of frontal sinus fracture treatment is based on multiple factors, one of which is injury to the nasofrontal outflow tract (NFOT). Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the NFOT can play an important role in the decision process. We sought to assess the visibility of the NFOT on CT scans in frontal sinus fractures. Patients with frontal sinus fractures (including the posterior table) receiving a CT scan from 1 April 2001 to 31 December 2009 were included. Scans were retrospectively assessed for available views (axial, coronal, and sagittal), slice thickness, inclusion of the anatomical NFOT region in the scanned area, and visibility of the NFOT. A total of 170 patients were included. In majority (71%) of patients NFOT was visible on one or more views, whereas in 33% (N = 56) of patients had three complete views (complete anatomical NFOT region scanned in three views). In this subgroup, the ability to assess the NFOT increased to 89%. When selecting patients with three complete views of ≤ 2 mm slice thickness (N = 47), the ability to assess the NFOT increased to 96%. In conclusion, when assessing the NFOT using CT imaging, having three complete views (axial, coronal, and sagittal) and a ≤ 2 mm slice thickness greatly increases the NFOT visibility.
Keywords: CT scan; frontal sinus fracture; nasofrontal duct; nasofrontal outflow tract CT scan; frontal sinus fracture; nasofrontal duct; nasofrontal outflow tract

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MDPI and ACS Style

Bush, K.; Huikeshoven, M.; Wong, N. Nasofrontal Outflow Tract Visibility in Computed Tomography Imaging of Frontal Sinus Fractures. Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2013, 6, 237-239. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1349214

AMA Style

Bush K, Huikeshoven M, Wong N. Nasofrontal Outflow Tract Visibility in Computed Tomography Imaging of Frontal Sinus Fractures. Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction. 2013; 6(4):237-239. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1349214

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bush, Kevin, Menno Huikeshoven, and Nathan Wong. 2013. "Nasofrontal Outflow Tract Visibility in Computed Tomography Imaging of Frontal Sinus Fractures" Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction 6, no. 4: 237-239. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1349214

APA Style

Bush, K., Huikeshoven, M., & Wong, N. (2013). Nasofrontal Outflow Tract Visibility in Computed Tomography Imaging of Frontal Sinus Fractures. Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction, 6(4), 237-239. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1349214

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