Zygoma, isolated zygomatic arch fracture

An isolated zygomatic arch fracture should be suspected in a patient with pain, swelling, or a palpable depression along the zygomatic arch without additional clinical findings in the zygoma and inferior orbital rim.

A common symptom is trismus from the displacement of the arch resulting in the impingement of the coronoid process of the mandible.

The diagnosis of a pure zygomatic arch fracture can readily be confirmed on an axial CT of the midface.

Click here for a detailed description of clinical and radiographic examination.

Note the multifragmentary "W" type zygomatic arch fracture with associated depression of the fractured segments.

Submento-vertex (bucket-handle) plain films will also confirm the diagnosis.

The image shows an x-ray taken before reduction.

The image shows an x-ray taken after reduction.