Weichert et al: Assessment of Fracture Distribution and Involvement of Functional Systems Following Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in 48 Cats
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2, 2026

Assessment of Fracture Distribution and Involvement of Functional Systems Following Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in 48 Cats

🔍 Key Findings

  • Mandibular fractures were the most common injury, occurring in 40/48 cats, often affecting multiple mandibular regions simultaneously.
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries were frequent, present in 27/48 cats, with 23 fractures and 4 luxations, most commonly involving the condylar process.
  • Maxillofacial fractures involving nasal and palatal structures occurred in 36/48 cats, frequently producing airway obstruction due to fragment displacement or swelling.
  • Orbital fractures occurred in 30/48 cats, predominantly affecting the dorsomedial orbital wall and often associated with nasal airway obstruction.
  • Pterygoid bone fractures (25/48) were clinically important, frequently causing medial displacement and obstruction of the nasopharyngeal airway.
  • Combined involvement of multiple functional systems was common, with 36/48 cats showing concurrent injuries affecting oral cavity and nasal airway function.
  • Neurocranial fractures were uncommon (6/48) but occurred only in cases with severe, multifocal CMF trauma.
  • CT imaging was essential for diagnosis, as many orbital and skull fractures were difficult or impossible to detect clinically.

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Weichert et al: Assessment of Fracture Distribution and Involvement of Functional Systems Following Craniomaxillofacial Trauma in 48 Cats
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Mandibular fractures were the most common injury, occurring in 40/48 cats, often affecting multiple mandibular regions simultaneously.
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries were frequent, present in 27/48 cats, with 23 fractures and 4 luxations, most commonly involving the condylar process.
  • Maxillofacial fractures involving nasal and palatal structures occurred in 36/48 cats, frequently producing airway obstruction due to fragment displacement or swelling.
  • Orbital fractures occurred in 30/48 cats, predominantly affecting the dorsomedial orbital wall and often associated with nasal airway obstruction.
  • Pterygoid bone fractures (25/48) were clinically important, frequently causing medial displacement and obstruction of the nasopharyngeal airway.
  • Combined involvement of multiple functional systems was common, with 36/48 cats showing concurrent injuries affecting oral cavity and nasal airway function.
  • Neurocranial fractures were uncommon (6/48) but occurred only in cases with severe, multifocal CMF trauma.
  • CT imaging was essential for diagnosis, as many orbital and skull fractures were difficult or impossible to detect clinically.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Weichert 2026 et al., on feline CMF fractures, which bone was most commonly fractured in cats presenting with craniomaxillofacial trauma?

A. Maxilla
B. Mandible
C. Zygomatic bone
D. Ethmoid bone
E. Temporal bone

Answer: Mandible

Explanation: Mandibular fractures were the most common injury identified in the study, occurring in 40 of 48 cats with CMF trauma.
In Weichert 2026 et al., on feline CMF fractures, orbital fractures were most commonly located in which region of the orbit?

A. Lateral orbital rim
B. Dorsomedial orbital wall
C. Ventral orbital floor
D. Rostral orbital rim
E. Caudolateral orbit

Answer: Dorsomedial orbital wall

Explanation: The dorsomedial orbital wall was the most frequent site of orbital fractures, occurring in 29 of 30 cats with orbital involvement.
In Weichert 2026 et al., on feline CMF fractures, which temporomandibular joint structure was most frequently involved in fractures?

A. Articular disc
B. Mandibular fossa
C. Condylar process
D. Zygomatic arch
E. Coronoid process

Answer: Condylar process

Explanation: Most TMJ fractures involved the condylar process, accounting for the majority of the 23 TMJ fractures identified.
In Weichert 2026 et al., on feline CMF fractures, how commonly were multiple functional systems involved simultaneously?

A. 12 of 48 cats
B. 24 of 48 cats
C. 36 of 48 cats
D. 6 of 48 cats
E. 48 of 48 cats

Answer: 36 of 48 cats

Explanation: Combined involvement of two or more functional systems (oral cavity, nasal airway, orbit, or neurocranium) occurred in 36 of 48 cats.
In Weichert 2026 et al., on feline CMF fractures, which fracture type was most commonly responsible for obstruction of the nasal or nasopharyngeal airway?

A. Hard palate fractures and pterygoid hamulus fractures
B. Nasal septum fractures
C. Zygomatic arch fractures
D. Frontal bone fractures
E. Ethmoid lamina fractures

Answer: Hard palate fractures and pterygoid hamulus fractures

Explanation: Fractures of the hard palate (28/36) and the hamular process of the pterygoid bone (25/36) were most commonly associated with airway obstruction.

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