Author/Authors :
Ekremet, Peggy Asiedu Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana , Ekremet, Kwame Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana , Osei-Ampofo, Maxwell Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana , Nkansah, Reginald Sefah Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana , Offei, Kwasi Owusu Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana , Antwi-Donkor, Kwabena Department of Emergency Medicine - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Kumasi, Ghana
Abstract :
n Ghana, road traffic accidents (RTAs) account for approx-
imately 80% of mandible injuries.1–3 RTAs have become a
public health concern worldwide, especially in low to middle
income countries (LMICs), such as Ghana. Growth in
motor vehicle numbers, poor enforcement of traffic safety
regulations, inadequacy of public health infrastructure and
poor access to health services are some of the reasons why
RTAs continue to contribute to the high burden of injury
in LMICs.4 Although computed tomography (CT) remains
the imaging method of choice to diagnose mandible frac-
tures, X-ray is more widely used and has a sensitivity of
around 91%.5 However, X-rays are not accessible in many
LMIC settings and referral for mandible imaging is even less
feasible in these circumstances. This pearl describes how an
inexpensive tongue depressor can be employed in the
evaluation of mandibular injuries in low resourced, LMIC
settings
Keywords :
Practical Pearl/Perle Pratique , Ujuzi , REGULAR FEATURES , RTAs
