Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Trauma

Costello, Bernard J.; Papadopoulos, Harry; Ruiz, Ramon

doi:10.1016/j.cpem.2004.12.002

« Previous Next »Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Volume 6, Issue 1 , Pages 32-40, March 2005

Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Trauma

Bernard J. Costello, DMD, MD
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Bernard J. Costello, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Suite 1112, 3471 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Harry Papadopoulos, DDS, MD
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Ramon Ruiz, DMD, MD
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- North Carolina Children's Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC

The management of facial injuries has historically focused on adult trauma, accompanied by a conservative approach in the management of pediatric patients. Although facial injuries occur less frequently in children than adults, the pediatric emergency medicine physician will encounter these injuries frequently. A working knowledge of the different types of craniofacial injuries is required to make a diagnosis, order appropriate imaging, and facilitate management. This article reviews common injury patterns, pertinent anatomy and growth patterns, diagnostic tests of choice, and management considerations for pediatric craniomaxillofacial injuries.

Keywords: craniomaxillofacial trauma, children, craniofacial anatomy