The
tongue blade test is done for mandible fractures, which make up
40-60% of facial fractures.
The
test is done by having the patient bite down on a tongue depressor
on one side of the mouth. The provider then tries to snap the
tongue depressor. This is repeated on the other side of the mouth.
The test is positive if the patient complains of pain before the
depressor can be broken on either side.
It
has been compared to CT and X-ray and has a similar sensitivity and
specificity (95% and 65%, respectively).
References:J.
Neiner, et al. Tongue Blade Bite Test Predicts Mandible Fractures.
Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2016
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