[Computed tomography of cranio-facial injuries (author's transl)].

For the detection of the finest changes in bone structure--like arrosions, porotic alterations, small fracture and fissure lines--computed tomography (CT) is yet surpassed by X-ray tomography: The current resolving power of CT is smaller, our Delta Scanner's layer thickness of 13mm is too large. Nevertheless, the advantages of CT in fronto-basal injuries augment essentially the diagnostic possibilities: with few layers and without great problems in setting projections, most of the possible injuries may be easily surveyed. The traumatized patient ist only minimally discomforted by the whole-body scanner. The lens dose is far less than the values of X-ray tomography reaches. Dislocated fracture fragments, brain traumatisation with and without hemorrhage, defects of the cribriform plate with concimitant brain prolaps, trauma of intraorbital structures, injuries to the nasal cavity and paranasal injuries may easily be detected. These findings influence importantly the surgical intervention and enable one to set up a planning of time and intercollegiate treatment. The postoperative care ist improved and inflammatory complications may be pointed out. In diagnosis of frontobasal injuries we therefore recommand: 1. X-ray survey and eventually X-ray radiograms of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. 2. Computed-tomography (CT). 3. For fine detailed study of bone structures like fissures and smalles fractures X-ray tomography will still remain indispensable.