BACKGROUND: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a major complication of traumatic brain injury that leads to severe functional disorder. To our knowledge, no studies have been previously reported on the correlation between DAI and maxillofacial injury. The aim of this analysis is to review the outcome of DAI with maxillofacial injury. METHODS: We reported 6 DAI patients with oral and maxillofacial injury out of 28 DAI patients treated in Iizuka Hospital between 2001 and 2008. Age, etiology, GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) about consciousness, and GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) for prognosis implication were retrospectively analyzed. Result: GCS score of 6 patients ranged from 3 to 8 on arrival, and they did not change 48 hours later. Two patients were moderate DAI and four were severe DAI. Two patients of severe DAI resulted in poor outcome (severe disability) but others showed relatively good GOS (good recovery and moderate disability). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of DAI patients with oral and maxillofacial injury were better than those of DAI patients without oral and maxillofacial injury.
