Palatoalveolar fracture, comminuted
Definition
A comminuted palatoalveolar fracture has multiple palatoalveolar fragments.
Radiographic findings
Comminuted palatal fractures are commonly associated with panfacial fractures.
The patient typically complains of malocclusion.
Because of this fracture's comminuted nature, mucosal tears, including the nasal mucosa, can be an additional complicating factor.
In these fractures, the degree of complexity is often compounded by dentoalveolar comminution and major soft-tissue injury.
Diagnosis may be confirmed with CT imaging. Ideal views include the axial and coronal slices.
This axial CT shows a comminuted sagittal split palate, a Le Fort I fracture, and a splayed mandible.
Note: In this patient, most of the teeth are not loosened in their bony fragments.
