Application of Handheld Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Setting of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma: A Technical Note.

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard of care imaging in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) trauma. Despite the clear advantages of high-resolution multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions, which facilitate accurate diagnosis and provide intraoperative (IO) real-time visual feedback, CT's main drawbacks remain availability, cost, and high radiation exposure. The decision to perform a CT scan is based on the integration of the patient's trauma mechanism, clinical examination, subjective judgment of the CMF surgeon, and the complexity of the surgery if used IO. Handheld point-of-care ultrasound is a small, portable device that can provide valuable additional data directing clinical decisions for CT referral in minor trauma cases and assist IO maneuvers. We describe a novel handheld point-of-care ultrasound application concept as a clinical supplementary tool in CMF trauma diagnosis and surgery.