Zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture
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At the time the article was created Nasir Siddiqui had no recorded disclosures.
View Nasir Siddiqui's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Ashesh Ishwarlal Ranchod had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Ashesh Ishwarlal Ranchod's current disclosures- Tripod fracture
- Malar fracture
- Trimalar fracture
- Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures
- Zygomatico-maxillary complex fracture
- Tripod fractures
- Malar fractures
- Trimalar fractures
- ZMC fracture
Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, also known as tripod, tetrapod, quadripod, malar or trimalar fractures, are seen in the setting of traumatic injury to the face. They comprise fractures of the:
inferior orbital rim, and anterior and posterior maxillary sinus walls
lateral orbital rim
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Epidemiology
They can account for ~40% of midface fractures. They are the second most common facial bone fracture after nasal bone fractures.
Pathology
The fracture complex results from a direct blow to the malar eminence and results in three distinct fracture components that disrupt the anchoring of the zygoma. Additionally, the fracture components may result in impingement of the temporalis muscle, trismus (limited jaw mobility) and may compromise the infraorbital foramen/nerve resulting in hypoesthesia (numbness) within its sensory distribution.
Radiographic features
On radiographic evaluation, typically with dedicated CT imaging with multiplanar reformats, the following three fracture components are generally identified:
fracture of the zygomatic arch and/or diastasis of the temporozygomatic suture
fractures of the inferior orbital rim and anterior and posterior maxillary sinus walls and/or diastasis of the zygomaticomaxillary suture
fracture of the lateral orbital rim and/or diastasis of the frontozygomatic suture
Treatment and prognosis
If needed, closed or open reduction methods can be performed with the goal of treatment being preservation of normal facial structure, sensory function, globe position and mastication functionality.
Quiz questions
References
- 1. Laine FJ, Conway WF, Laskin DM. Radiology of maxillofacial trauma. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 1993;22 (4): 145-88. Pubmed citation
- 2. Zingg M, Laedrach K, Chen J et-al. Classification and treatment of zygomatic fractures: a review of 1,025 cases. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 1992;50 (8): 778-90. Pubmed citation
- 3. Som PM, Curtin HD. Head and Neck Imaging - 2 Volume Set. Mosby. ISBN:0323053556. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Danny Meslemani, Robert M. Kellman. Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures. (2012) Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 14 (1): 62. doi:10.1001/archfacial.2011.1415
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