Three-dimensional versus conventional CT in the evaluation of facial trauma

An accurate knowledge of the three-dimensional pattern of facial fractures is surgically important. This exhibit shows how this may be difficult if not impossible to obtain using axial and reconstructed CT images and how 3D CT is superior in this regard. 3D CT displays the course of anterior and lateral facial fractures and the spatial orientation of bone fragments that can be missed when using other CT techniques. 3D CT and facial CT images can be generated from a single CT examination and are complementary. Together they display posttraumatic facial anatomy better than conventional planar CT images