Mechanism of injury: Helpful in determining severity and type of injury.

Change in vision, loss of vision, or double vision.

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  Must rule out orbital injuries before considering operative intervention.

Numbness of forehead signifying injury to cranial nerve V₁ distribution.

Rhinorrhea: Concerning for dural injury and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Identify any potentially life-threatening conditions.

Identify lacerations over the forehead, glabella, or supra-orbital ridge; may be used for direct access for repair in selected cases.

Evaluate for palpable step-offs and/or depressions in the frontal area.

Evaluate for sensibility changes in supraorbital/supratrochlear nerve distribution.

Examine for CSF rhinorrhea.

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  Ring test at the bedside.

  
  
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  May test for β-transferrin in nasal discharge, signifying CSF.

Test function of frontalis and corrugator muscles.

High-resolution maxillofacial computed tomographic scan: Assessed in both axial and coronal planes.

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  Evaluate for involvement of anterior/posterior tables and determine degree of comminution/displacement.

  
  
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  Evaluate nasofrontal outflow tract for ability to drain the frontal sinus.

  
  
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  Identify intracranial injuries (pneumocephalus, etc.) and other facial fractures.