Een peuter met een mandibulafractuur

Background Mandibular fractures are rare in children. Symptoms of these fractures include preauricular pain and swelling, trismus and pain when opening the mouth, and they are often preceded by a fall on the chin. If the diagnosis is missed they may have serious consequences for the growth and development of the jaw. Case description A 3yearold boy was referred with a swelling in his left cheek, fever and vomiting. Two days earlier he had fallen on his chin. At physical examination he had severe preauricular pain on palpation and a trismus. The patient was admitted because of suspicion of a viral parotitis and the threat of dehydration. After discharge, he went to the dentist for examination of a molar that was painful to the touch. The dentist performed an orthopantomogram and discovered a fracture of the left mandibular collum. Conclusion Any child with trauma to the chin should be observed for symptoms of a mandibular fracture, and if it seems necessary noninvasive radiographic examination should be performed.