Aim: This study aimed to evaluate sensitivity of multi planer and 3D of CT image in patients with craniofacial bone fractures.

Methodology: Descriptive analytical study was conducted. Patients referred for CT skull examination after trauma and diagnosed with fracture.

Results: In this study sample size was (150 patients) and frequency of male was 105 with percent 70%, female was 45 with percent 30%.

Most bone fracture appear in 3DCT was facial, parietal and temporal with frequency (30), (29), (22), respectively.

Most bone fracture appear in axial cut in MPR was facial, parietal and temporal with frequency (30), (28), (22), respectively.

Most bone fracture appear in sagittal cut in MPR was facial, parietal and temporal with frequency (32), (29), (15), respectively.

Most bone fracture appear in coronal cut in MPR was parietal, facial and temporal with frequency (29), (23), (19), respectively.

Conclusion: In evaluation the difference between MPR and 3D images to determining fractures in traumatic patients we found that any depressed fracture appeared in MPR will be clearly appeared in 3DCT, but linear fracture depend on MPR appearance.

Recommendations: Specification of bone under study will ease up findings and data acquisition.

Keywords: 3DCT, MPR

INTRODUCTION

A CT scan makes use of computer-processed combinations of many X-ray images taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images (virtual “slices”) of specific areas of a scanned object, allowing the user to see inside the object without cutting [1].

Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of the object from a large series of two-dimensional radiographic images taken around a single axis of rotation. Medical imaging is the most common application of X-ray CT. Its cross-sectional images are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in various medical disciplines. The rest of this article discusses medical-imaging X-ray CT; industrial applications of X-ray CT are discussed at industrial computed tomography scanning [2].

3D imaging

Three-dimensional rendering could not have been developed without advances in computer hardware, software and display technology. Progress has been incremental and often limited by the state of the art in any one of these technologies on which development depends. Despite these constraints, SSD and MIP have remained functional by making use of only about 10% of the available CT data and implementing very simple rendering schemes [3], although this compromise limits the accuracy of rendered images. Volume rendering incorporates the entire data set into a 3D image [4,5]. Initially, image processing and display was very time consuming: Several hours were required to render an animation loop for viewing. However, recent advances in computer hardware have made volume rendering a practical,interactive technique that allows processing and display to occur in real time (minimum, 5-10 frames/s) at relatively inexpensive workstations [5].

LITERATURE REVIEW

Imaging of maxillofacial and skull base trauma

In this study they consider explaining that CT is image of choice for suspected craniofacial fracture and after they finished decided that analysis with MIPs is a useful addition to obligatory MPRs [6].

A study of diagnostic performance of CT, MPR and 3DCT imaging in maxillofacial trauma

In this study they to elaborate that CT imaging of complex maxillofacial fractures is common practice now. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to measure observer performance. It was found that 3D and CT had a similar performance in fracture detection and both were markedly better than MPR. It was concluded that CT and 3D are comparable in detecting mid-facial fractures and both are superior to MPR. 3D reconstructions are superior for localization of complex fractures involving multiple planes [7].

A study of validity of multi-slice computerized tomography for diagnosis of maxillofacial fractures using an independent workstation.

In this study they explain the CT images of 36 patients with maxillofacial fractures (symptomatic to orbit region). The images were interpreted based on 5 protocols, using an independent workstation. All methods evaluated in this study showed high specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of orbital fractures according to the proposed methodology. This protocol can add valuable information to the diagnosis of fractures using the association of axial/MPR/3D with multi-slice CT [8].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

Study design: Descriptive analytical study was conducted.

Study area and duration: The study was conducted in Khartoum state, included hospitals:

·         Ibrahim Malik Hospital

·         Yastabshiroon Al-Khartoum Hospital

·         Altamayoz for Emergency

·         Al Zaytuona Hospital

Study duration: From 2017-June 2019

Study population: Patients referred for CT skull examination after trauma and diagnosed with fracture.

Sample size and sampling: 150 patients admitted to all previous hospitals.

Inclusion criteria: Traumatic patient with a diagnosed craniofacial fracture under CT scan.

Exclusion criteria: Craniofacial CT scan diagnosed as normal.

Variable under study: Gender, age side of fracture, area of fracture, type of fracture. Visualization in MPR and 3D.

Methods

CT technique of craniofacial imaging:

Patient position: That patient lies supine on the examination couch with their head within the head holder. The head is adjusted so that the entry papillary line is parallel to the couch and the head is straight. The patient is positioned so that the longitudinal alignment light lies in the midline and the horizontal alignment light passes through the nasion. Straps and foam pads are used for immobilization.

Equipment:

·         Head holder

·         Immobilization foam pads

Data collection tools and techniques: All data was collected from traumatic patients referred for craniofacial CT examination and then we used SPSS version 16 to analyze data and represented in tables, pie chart and graphs.

Methods of measurements: Fractures were visualized under (sagittal, axial and coronal) MPR and 3D images.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this study sample size was (150 patients) and frequency of male was 105 with percent 70%, female was 45 with percent 30% (Table 1 and Figure 1).

Table 3 shows frequency of bone fracture and the most bone fractured was fracture of facial bone and parietal bone fracture with equal percent (22.7%) and then temporal bone (14.7%) frontal bone (10.7%), occipital bone (10.7%), base of skull (8%), temporal + parietal + frontal (6%), facial + base of skull (1.3%) parietal + frontal (1.3%), parietal + frontal + facial (0.7%), temporal + frontal (0.7%), temporal + parietal (0.7%).

According to fracture type Table 4 and Figure 2 we found that frequency of depressed fracture (90) with percent 60% and frequency of linear fracture (60) with percent 40%.

Tables 5-9 and Figures 3-8 shows fractures that appear in 3DCT from total of 150 patient s and the result show that there is 127 with percent 84.7 appear in CT.

Frequency of most bone fractures that appear was facial bone (31), parietal bone (29) and then temporal bone (21) (Table 10).

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