The Comprehensive AOCMF Classification System: Condylar Process Fractures - Level 3 Tutorial

Cranial Maxillofac Trauma Reconstruction 2014; 07: S044-S058DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389559This tutorial outlines the detailed system for fractures of the condylar process at the precision level 3 and is organized in a sequence of sections dealing with the description of the classification system within topographical subdivisions along with rules for fracture coding and a series of case examples with clinical imaging. Basically, the condylar process comprises three fracture levels and is subdivided into the head region, the condylar neck, and the condylar base. Fractures of the condylar head show typical fracture lines either within the lateral pole zone, which may lead to loss of vertical height, or medially to the pole zone, with the latter ones usually not compromising the vertical condyle to fossa relation. In condylar head fractures, the morphology is further described by the presence of minor or major fragmentation, the vertical apposition of fragments at the plane of the head fracture, the displacement of the condylar head with regard to the fossa including a potential distortion of the condylar head congruency resulting in dystopic condyle to fossa relations and the presence or absence of a loss of vertical ramus height. A specific vertical fracture pattern extending from the head to the neck or base subregion is considered. Fractures of the condylar neck and base can be differentiated according to a newly introduced one-third to two-thirds rule with regard to the proport...

Source: Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction - November 21, 2014 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Neff, AndreasCornelius, Carl-PeterRasse, MichaelTorre, Daniel DallaAudigé, Laurent Tags: Tutorial Article Source Type: research