Nasal Fractures
Nasal fractures commonly occur after facial injury. The diagnosis of a fractures is difficult to make at the time of injury (unless there is an obvious deformity) because of bruising and soft tissue injury. Review by ENT after 7 – 10 days is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of a fracture for medicolegal reasons and to decide on management. X-rays are not required to diagnose a fracture and may in fact be misleading as nasal septal vessels often look like fractures. The diagnosis is clinical with the following signs:
- point tenderness
- mobility of the nasal bones
The decision to manipulate the nasal fracture depends on the patient. If they feel that the shape of the nose has changed and are unhappy with the appearance then a manipulation of the nasal bones under anaesthetic (MUA) can be performed. The nasal bones remain mobile for about 3 weeks after the injury.
