CT of Maxillofacial Trauma

Failure to recognize facial fractures is an important cause for later cosmetic and functional complications. Using limited preliminary plain film study in the Water's projection can usually predict the need for more sophisticated imaging and can serve as a basis for proper planning of CT examination, the procedure of choice when more sophisticated imaging is indicated. This article describes how and when to use CT, with an emphasis on which projection(s) to use for which injury.