Nasal/maxillofacial manifestations of head and neck injury

Background: A great deal of work has been directed toward using these symptoms to classify the severity of head injury. Loss of consciousness or coma and posttraumatic amnesia (difficulty in remembering new information after waking up from the coma) are the two most common symptoms used. A mild head injury is one in which the period of unconsciousness is less than twenty minutes and post traumatic amnesia lasts for less than one hour, while a head injury in which the person is unconscious for at least one day and experiences post traumatic amnesia for more than twenty four hours is considered severe. Methods: 50 Cases coming to O.P.D and casualty of Chigateri general hospital and Bapuji hospital attached to JJM Medical College, Davangere were studied. Results: Evidence of C.S.F rhinorrhoea was noticed in 1(2%) case which managed conservatively. Maxillary fracture was noticed in 05 (10%) cases which were managed conservatively. Zygomatic fractures were noticed in 07 (14%) cases which were managed by open reduction and internal fixation with mini plates under general anesthesia. Conclusions: Mandibular fractures were noticed in 10 (20%) of cases which were managed by open reduction and internal fixation with mini plates under general anesthesia.