Nasal fracture (broken nose)

Ear Nose | Otorhinolaryngology | Nasal fracture (broken nose) (Disease)


Description

Although nasal fractures are the most common facial fracture, they often go unnoticed by physicians and patients. Patients with nasal fractures usually present with some combination of deformity, tenderness, hemorrhage, edema, ecchymosis, instability, and crepitation; however, these features may not be present or may be transient.

Symptoms of a broken nose include: nose pain, swelling of the nose, a crooked or bent appearance, bruising around the nose or eyes, a runny nose or a nosebleed, a grating sound or feeling when the nose is touched or rubbed, blocked nasal passages.

Causes and Risk factors

Possible complications of a broken nose include: change in the appearance of the nose or the tip of the nose, a large amount of blood in the nasal septum (nasal septal hematoma), a hole in the nasal septum (septal perforation) or causing the bridge of the nose to collapse (saddle nose deformity), crooked (deviated) nasal septum. The nasal septum is the structure that divides the nose into two parts, persistent drainage from one or both nostrils. This may be caused by cerebral spinal fluid draining from the brain into the nose (CSF rhinorrhea) and can occur after a head injury or after surgery on the nose or ears, infection of the nose, sinuses, or facial bones, a change in or loss of sense of smell.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Although the use of plain images is not suggested, the preferred examination includes the acquisition of Waters (occipitomental) and lateral nasal views. Treatment for a broken nose may include procedures to realign the nose. Surgery usually isnt necessary for a broken nose. ...