An Jingang, Dai Fanfan, Sun Zhipeng, Zhang Yi
Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014 Feb;117(2):243-52. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.11.500. Epub 2013 Dec 7.
This study aimed to classify pterygoid process fractures associated with maxillary transverse fractures.
Pterygoid process fractures in 100 patients with maxillary transverse fractures were observed 2- and 3-dimensionally using image processing software. Fracture line course and height and sphenoid sinus involvement were recorded.
Pterygoid process fractures were classified as follows: class I, vertical (simple separation between medial and lateral plates); or class II, transverse (3 subcategories according to location of fracture line: II-1, within pterygoid fossa; II-2, above pterygoid fossa, not extending to sphenoid sinus floor; II-3, above pterygoid fossa, involving sphenoid sinus floor). Class I fracture was observed on 5 sides (2.7%); II-1, on 125 (66.5%); II-2, on 36 (19.1%); and II-3, on 22 (1.7%).
Pterygoid process fractures were predominantly near the upper edge of the pterygoid fossa. Pneumatization of the pterygoid process is a risk in fractures involving the sphenoid sinus floor.