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Computer tomography of maxillofacial area
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Computer tomography of the maxillofacial area allows to obtain an image not only of the bone structures of the maxillofacial area, but also of soft tissues, including the skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue, muscles, large nerves, vessels and lymph nodes.
CT expands the diagnostic capabilities for traumatic injuries, inflammatory and tumor diseases of various nature, primarily the middle zone of the face, in particular the upper jaw. The method allows to solve diagnostic difficulties, especially when the process spreads to the pterygoid and infratemporal fossa, eye socket, cells of the latticed labyrinth.
With the help of CT, intracranial complications of acute sinusitis (epidural and subdural abscesses), involvement of the orbital fiber in the inflammatory process, intracranial hematomas in injuries of the maxillofacial region are well recognized.
Along with the evaluation of the bone elements of the temporomandibular joint, it becomes possible to visualize the intraarticular disc, especially when it is displaced anteriorly.
On computer tomograms it is possible to reveal the difference in the density of individual sites in 0,5%, which expands the prospects of early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of bones. In addition, with the help of CT, one can obtain an image of the entire dentition without significant projection distortion, which is important in planning reconstructive operations.
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