Concussion and isolated mandible fractures – are we asking the right questions?
Reviewed by Bilal Gani Taib

Concussion and isolated mandible fractures – are we asking the right questions? The mandible is one of the most commonly fractured craniofacial bones. A significant force is required to bring this about. Hence the authors hypothesised that concussion after a mandibular fracture is more common than the literature states. A case series of 16 patients with a mean age of 27.5 years were collected over a 12 month period. Patients were tested using the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE). A significant score was anything <25. Seventy-five percent of the fractures were sustained during assaults; half of all fractures involved the consumption of alcohol and 68% reported a loss of consciousness. Seventy-five percent (12/16) of patients with isolated mandible fractures met the criteria for a concussion in this study. These patients may benefit from being screened for concussion and referred to a concussion clinic. 

Incidence of concussion in patients with isolated mandible fractures.
Sobin L, Kopp R, Walsh R, et al.
JAMA FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY
2016;18(1):15-8.