Frontobasal Fractures

Litschel, Ralph MD
Kühnel, Thomas S. MD
Weber, Rainer MD

¹Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
²Division of Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
³Division of Sinus and Skull Base Surgery, Traumatology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany

Address for correspondence Ralph Litschel, MD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital, Rorschacher Str. 95, St. Gallen 9007, Switzerland, [email protected]

Issue Theme Contemporary Management of Facial Trauma; Guest Editors, Ralph Litschel, MD, and Abel-Jan Tasman, MD

Facial Plastic Surgery 31(4):p 332-344, August 2015. | DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1562886

Abstract

Frontobasal fractures occur in up to 24% of head injuries and often require a multidisciplinary approach. Besides the common bone fractures, the complex anatomy can cause damage to the sense of vision and smell. Further possibly lethal complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leak followed by meningitis or internal carotid bleeding can follow. Diagnostic and treatment options are reviewed with a focus on the endoscopic endonasal approach.