Isolated tympanic plate fracture detected by cone-beam computed tomography: report of four cases with review of literature

The tympanic plate is a small part of the temporal bone that separates the mandibular condyle from the external auditory canal. Fracture of this small plate is rare and usually associated with other bony fractures, mainly temporal and mandibular bone. There is a limited amount of literature on this subject, which increases the chance of cases being overlooked by physicians and radiologists. This is further supported by purely isolated cases of tympanic plate fracture without evidence of other bony fractures. Cone-beam computed tomography is an investigative three-dimensional imaging modality that can be used to detect fine structures and fractures in maxillofacial trauma. This article presents four cases of isolated tympanic plate fracture diagnosed by cone-beam computed tomography with no evidence of fracture involving other bones and review of the literature.