CT images of 36 patients with maxillofacial fractures (symptomatic to orbit region) who were submitted to multislice CT scanning were analyzed, retrospectively. The images were interpreted based on 5 protocols, using an independent workstation 1) axial (original images); 2) multiplanar reconstruction (MPR); 3) 3D images; 4) association of axial/MPR/3D images and 5) coronal images. The evaluated anatomical sites were divided according to the orbital walls lateral (with or without zygomatic frontal process fracture); medial; superior (roof) and inferior (anterior, medial). The collected data were analyzed statistically using a validity test (Youden's J index; p<0.05). The clinical and/or surgical findings (medical records) were considered as the gold standard to corroborate the diagnosis of the anatomical localization of the orbital fracture.
RESULTS:
3D-CT scanning presented sensitivity of 78.9 percent, which was not superior to that of MPR (84.0 percent), axial/MPR/3D (90.5 percent) and coronal images (86.1 percent). On the other hand, the diagnostic value of axial images was considered limited for orbital fractures region, with sensitivity of 44.2 percent.