The diagnostic value of the sagittal multiplanar reconstruction CT images for nasal bone fractures

Aim

To compare the diagnostic performance of sagittal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images and axial images for the detection of a nasal bone fracture.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included 533 consecutive patients who underwent three-dimensional images with 64-section multidetector-row CT for the evaluation of a facial bone fracture between June 2007 and May 2008 (366 males; 167 females; mean age ± standard deviation 31.1±21.2 years; age range 1–92 years). Two observers independently scored the possibility of a nasal bone fracture on axial and sagittal images. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.

Results

The Az values of the sagittal images were higher than those of the axial images for both observers (p=0.002 and 0.010, respectively) with higher accuracy (p<0.001 and 0.016, respectively). The sensitivities of sagittal images were superior to those of axial images, especially for type 1simple nasal bone fractures with no or minimal displacement (observer 1, 98.6 versus 72.8%; observer 2, 84.9 versus 71%).

Conclusion

Sagittal MPR facial bone CT images provided superior diagnostic performance, and their addition to axial images is useful for the evaluation of nasal bone fractures.