TITLE:
Profile and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Facial Fractures: A Retrospective Study of 327 Cases in Yaoundé, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Adèle Tatiana Abo’o Melom, Francis Daniel Nkolo Tolo, Yann Chris Mannel Eng, Maggy Mbede, Jacques Gérard Edouma Bohimbo, Charles Bengondo Messanga
KEYWORDS:
Maxillofacial Trauma, Computed Tomography, Facial Fractures, Epidemiology, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Radiology,
Vol.15 No.2,
June
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Facial trauma is a common reason for emergency consultations in developing countries. This study aimed to establish the anatomical and CT scan profile of facial fractures diagnosed at Yaoundé Central Hospital. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and analytical retrospective study was conducted over a 5-year period (January 2019 to December 2023), including all patients’ records who underwent computed tomography (CT) examination of the facial bones for suspected fracture. Exhaustive sampling was used. Demographic data, etiological factors, and CT characteristics were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed, and appropriate statistical tests were applied with a significance level set at p Results: A total of 327 patients were included with a male-to-female ratio of 3.2:1. The mean age was (34.7 ± 12.3) years (95% CI: 33.3-36.1). Road traffic accidents were the main etiology (58.4%), followed by assaults (23.2%). Mandibular fractures were the most frequent (42.8%), followed by maxillo-zygomatic fractures (27.5%) and orbitonasal fractures (18.3%). Complex fractures accounted for 39.4% of cases. CT examination led to changes in therapeutic management in 27.2% of cases (95% CI: 22.5%-32.3%). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of CT examination in the precise characterization of facial fractures and in guiding therapeutic management. Young adult males constitute the most affected population, primarily following road traffic accidents.