Diagnostic validity of ultrasonogaraphy in zygomatic arch fractures: A clinical study

Objective: The Objective of the present study was to investigate the uses of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of zygomatic arch fractures and to identify the acoustic pattern between ultrasound image and true morphology of zygomatic arch. Method: Once the patient was positioned, the acoustic coupler was applied to the patients control side i.e., the normal zygomatic arch and a similar scanning was carried out on the fractured side using a linear array transducer utilizing a frequency of 11 MHz. The areas of interest were scanned under both transverse and longitudinal sections, findings were entered into the proforma and then the printouts of the ultrasound pictures were printed using Sony type 1 (normal) high quality printing paper using a B&W Thermal Printer UP-895CE Sony. Results: All the 16 patients were subjected to ultrasonography and in all 16 cases fracture of the zygomatic arch was confirmed, implying there is 100% accuracy. Conclusion: Ultrasound offers a safe, inexpensive, accurate adjunct to conventional radiography of the facial bones and is well tolerated by recently injured patients. Ultrasound may also be considered as an alternative to repeating plain X-ray films to answer any doubts about the configuration or displacements of fractures, as ultrasound is noninvasive and overcomes the disadvantages of radiography. This study emphasizes the need of the hour in diagnostic imaging and its possible role in intraoperative reduction of zygomatic arch fractures. The present study was also able to distinguish the patterns of zygomatic arch fractures as given by Honig Merten. Keywords: Diagnostic ultrasound, Real time imaging, Zygomatic arch fracture