Zygomatic Arch Fracture Caused by a Flying Golf Ball: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: As golf becomes common, golf-related injuries become more widespread. Injury caused from hitting by a golf ball, resulting in a zygomatic arch fracture has not previously been described. In this report, zygomatic arch fracture caused by a golf ball is presented, and the basic mechanics of golf ball injuries are described. Case Presentation: When a 38-year-old man was playing golf on a golf course, another player made a shot about 100 m behind him and the golf ball hit his left cheek. On physical examination, his left cheek was depressed and a contusion with a ball-mark was observed. His mouth opening was one and a half finger breadths. He felt pain and discomfort when clenching his jaw. Plain films and computed tomography of the facial bone showed a left zygomatic arch fracture. Under general anesthesia, the displaced fracture segments were reduced using a towel clip. Postoperatively, his mouth opening improved to 3 finger breadths. Conclusions: In the field, serious face or head injuries on the golf course may be prevented by informing other golfers and shouting the word “fore (look ahead; a term warning the flight of a golf ball)” when it appears possible that a golf ball may hit other players or spectators. Other players or spectators should turn their back to the source of the call, duck, and cover their face and head with their hands. When meet the patients hit by a golf ball, surgeons should aware of the possibility of the facial bone fractures including nasal bone or zygoma.