Role of the sagittal view of computed tomography in evaluation of the nasofrontal ducts in frontal sinus fractures.

PURPOSE: Frontal sinus fractures are relatively uncommon due to the high-impact force required to produce these. However, their management is quite complex, with the treatment algorithm incorporating many factors in which the status of the nasofrontal ducts is critically important. Traditionally, this has been evaluated by both axial and coronal computed tomographic (CT) scan views. Anatomically, we propose that this is better evaluated by coronal and sagittal CT views. We evaluated the role of sagittal CT scan views in determining the status of the nasofrontal ducts in patients with frontal sinus fractures.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis examining 8 patients with frontal sinus fractures, from August 2004 to January 2008, was performed. Axial, coronal, and sagittal CT scan views were obtained routinely as part of the facial trauma workup. These views were assessed to determine the status of the nasofrontal ducts. The operative findings were also reviewed.

RESULTS: Five of the 8 patients had displaced anterior and posterior table frontal sinus fractures. Of these, 4 required surgical intervention that included addressing the nasofrontal ducts. Two of the 8 patients had displaced anterior table fractures that required no intervention of the nasofrontal ducts. One patient had nondisplaced anterior and posterior table fractures and did not require surgery. The sagittal CT view clearly demonstrated the anatomy of the nasofrontal ducts in all 8 patients, including patients in whom the axial and/or coronal views were questionable. Intraoperatively, where the patency of the nasofrontal ducts was directly evaluated, there was a direct correlation with the sagittal image findings.

CONCLUSIONS: The sagittal CT view provides invaluable information for evaluating the patency of the nasofrontal ducts in frontal sinus fractures. The ability to evaluate the frontal sinus in an anteroposterior dimension (the usual vector of the injury) and in a superoinferior dimension (the anatomic pathway of the ducts) is the reason for this imaging advantage.