Nasal fracture

A nasal fracture, commonly referred to as a broken nose, is a fracture of one of the bones of the nose.[2] Symptoms may include bleeding, swelling, bruising, and an inability to breathe through the nose.[1][2] They may be complicated by other facial fractures or a septal hematoma.[1]

Nasal fracture
Other namesBroken nose
Plain X-ray showing a nasal fracture
SpecialtyEmergency medicine, otorhinolaryngology
SymptomsNose bleed, swelling, bruising[1][2]
ComplicationsSeptal hematoma, other facial fractures, meningitis[1]
Usual onsetYoung males[3]
CausesAssault, trauma during sports, falls, motor vehicle collisions[1]
Diagnostic methodTypically based on symptoms, occasionally plain X rays[1]
TreatmentPain medication, cold compresses, possible reduction post resolution of swelling[1]
PrognosisGenerally good[4]
FrequencyCommon[3]

The most common causes include assault, trauma during sports, falls, and motor vehicle collisions.[1] Diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms and may occasionally be confirmed by plain X-ray.[1]

Treatment is typically with pain medication and cold compresses.[1] Reduction, if needed, can typically occur after the swelling has come down.[1] Depending on the type of fracture reduction may be closed or open.[2] Outcomes are generally good.[4] Nasal fractures are common, comprising about 40% of facial fractures.[1][3] Males in their 20s are most commonly affected.[2]

Signs and symptoms
Fractured nose with epistaxis; the result of a rugby injury.

Symptoms of a broken nose include bruising, swelling, tenderness, pain, deformity, and/or bleeding of the nose and nasal region of the face. The patient may have difficulty breathing, or excessive nosebleeds (if the nasal mucosa are damaged). The patient may also have bruising around one or both eyes.

Cause

Nasal fractures are caused by physical trauma to the face. Common sources of nasal fractures include sports injuries, fighting, falls, and car accidents in the younger age groups, and falls from syncope or impaired balance in the elderly.[5]

Diagnosis

Nasal fractures are usually identified visually and through physical examination.[1] Medical imaging is generally not recommended.[1][2] A priority is to distinguish simple fractures limited to the nasal bones (Type 1) from fractures that also involve other facial bones and/or the nasal septum (Types 2 and 3). In simple Type 1 fractures X-Rays supply surprisingly little information beyond clinical examination. However, diagnosis may be confirmed with X-rays or CT scans, and these are required if other facial injuries are suspected.[2]

A fracture that runs horizontally across the septum is sometimes called a "Jarjavay fracture", and a vertical one, a "Chevallet fracture".[6]

Although treatment of an uncomplicated fracture of nasal bones is not urgent—a referral for specific treatment in five to seven days usually suffices—an associated injury, nasal septal hematoma, occurs in about 5% of cases and does require urgent treatment and should be looked for during the assessment of nasal injuries.[5]

Treatment

Minor nasal fractures may be allowed to heal on their own provided there is not significant cosmetic deformity. Ice and pain medication may be prescribed to ease discomfort during the healing process.[1] For nasal fractures where the nose has been deformed, manual alignment may be attempted, usually with good results. Injuries involving other structures (Types 2 and 3) must be recognized and treated surgically.[7]

Prognosis

Bone stability after a fracture occurs between 3 and 4 weeks. Full bone fusion occurs between 4 and 8 weeks.

References
  1. Das, D; Salazar, L (April 2017). "Maxillofacial Trauma: Managing Potentially Dangerous And Disfiguring Complex Injuries". Emergency medicine practice. 19 (4): 1–24. PMID 28362252.
  2. Kühnel, TS; Reichert, TE (2015). "Trauma of the midface". GMS current topics in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery. 14: Doc06. doi:10.3205/cto000121. PMC 4702055. PMID 26770280.
  3. Fonseca, Raymond J. (2017). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - E-Book: 3-Volume Set (3 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 9780323444422.
  4. Marston, AP; O'Brien, EK; Hamilton GS, 3rd (April 2017). "Nasal Injuries in Sports". Clinics in sports medicine. 36 (2): 337–353. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2016.11.004. PMID 28314421.
  5. Bremke M, Gedeon H, Windfuhr JP, Werner JA, Sesterhenn AM (November 2009). "Nasal bone fracture: etiology, diagnostics, treatment and complications". Laryngorhinootologie. 88 (11): 711–6.
  6. Sethi, Neeraj; Pearson, Amy; Bajaj, Yogesh (2016). Key Clinical Topics in Otolaryngology. 191: JP Medical Ltd. ISBN 9781909836358. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017.
  7. Mondin V, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A (May–June 2005). "Management of nasal bone fractures". Am J Otolaryngol. 26 (3): 181–5. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2004.11.006.
Classification
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