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Fracture, Frontal Sinus, Sports Medicine

Andrew Smith, MD, FAAP Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

Pediatric Considerations
  • Frontal sinuses are not present at birth and begin to develop around 7 yr of age (last of sinuses), continuing to develop until puberty 1.

  • Ethmoid and maxillary sinuses a...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Evaluate and treat life-threatening injuries first.

  • Carefully palpate the frontal area for crepitus or depression.

  • Lacerations over the frontal sinus area should raise suspicion of frontal sin...

TREATMENT

  • Prehospital:

    • Physical examination, including complete neurologic exam

    • High suspicion for fracture given nature of trauma and physical findings

    • Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)

    • Identify ...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Avoid Valsalva maneuver (e.g., sneezing, nose blowing, etc.) to minimize risk of subcutaneous emphysema.

  • Avoid air travel for a period (individualize for each patient) aft...

REFERENCES

1
Guy WM, Brissett AE. Contemporary management of traumatic fractures of the frontal sinus. Otolaryngol Clin North Am.  2013;46(5):733–748.
2
Kim IA, Boahene KD, Byrne PJ. Trauma in facia...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bell RB. Management of frontal sinus fractures. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am.  2009;21(2):227–242.

  • Bell RB, Dierks EJ, Brar P, et al. A protocol for the management of fron...

CLINICAL PEARLS

For lacerations, ecchymosis, and/or edema to frontal sinus region following trauma, consider and evaluate with CT scan for frontal sinus fracture. 

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