RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) pandemic confronted the global healthcare system with a variety of challenges. The pandemic and the associated lockdowns also had an impact on multiple medical disciplines (i.e. delay of surgery, change of hospital admissions). The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mandible fracture patterns/distributions and circumstances in a German cranio-maxillofacial trauma center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study compared the mandible fracture patterns of patients in the PreCOVID (PC) era (February 2019-January 2020) with patients in the IntraCOVID (IC) era (February 2020-January 2021). In addition to baseline characteristics, the number/type of mandible fractures, location of the mandible fracture, circumstances leading to mandible fracture, and hospital admissions/treatments were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients was included in this study. In the IC period, the absolute frequencies of mandible fractures decreased (PC = 72 vs. IC = 55). There were minor changes in the mandible fracture locations. An increase of concomitant facial soft tissue injuries (IC = 69.1% vs. PC = 58.3%), as well as higher rates of traumatic tooth loss (IC = 32.7% vs. PC = 22.2%), was observed. Regarding the causes/accidents leading to mandible fractures, there were significant increases in falls and significant decreases in sports accidents as well as interpersonal violence during the IC period. A significant increase in accidents at home and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a simultaneous decrease in weekend and night-time trauma leading to mandible fractures was observed. Furthermore, a significant increase in days from trauma to surgery was recorded. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on mandibular fracture patterns. The locations and types of mandibular fractures changed slightly. However, significant differences in the circumstances leading to mandible fractures (increased falls, decreased interpersonal violence) were recorded.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: The styloid process (SP) becomes clinically relevant when it shows enlargement (>30 mm) in the sense of an elongated SP (ESP) and/or increasing calcification leading to Eagle Syndrome (ES). Panoramic radiograph (PR) or computed tomography (CT) are part of the routine diagnostics in ES. Currently, CT is considered the gold standard. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy in the diagnostics/measurements of SP/ESP throughout a comparative study between PR and CT. Furthermore, in addition to measuring established parameters, this study aimed to determine the currently unexamined width in the base and tip of the SP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study examined the radiological findings of bilateral SP in 100 patients who received both PR and CT on the same day. Measurements of the length of the SP and width at the basis and tip were performed. Furthermore, calcification patterns, Langlais classification and the prevalence of ESP were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a highly significant correlation between PR and CT measuring SP for every parameter. Males showed significantly longer SP than females among the age group between 18-75 years. The results of the length measurements of the SP (male: right SP=32.98 mm; left SP=35.21 mm; female: right SP=30.31 mm; left SP=30.92 mm) significantly exceeded the values of comparable studies. CONCLUSION: Consequently, it can be concluded that PR provides accurate measurements when compared to CT for measuring and diagnosing SP/ESP/Eagle syndrome. This study was one of the first to examine the width of the SP in the base and tip, thus these measurements can serve as a baseline for further studies. Since the mean lengths of SP exceeded 30.0 mm in the present study, these findings raise the question of whether the cut-off of 30.0 mm is adequate for the diagnosis of ESP.
