J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  2006 Jul;33(4):440-444.

The Value of Facial Bone CAT Scan in the Diagnosis of the Nasal Bone Fracture

• Min KH
• Hong SH
• Lee JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The nasal bone fracture is the most common type of facial bone fracture. In making a diagnosis, physical findings are much more important than the simple radiologic findings. Facial bone CAT scan can provide the accurate diagnosis and the correct location of nasal bone fractures, so it can be lessoned with proper intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of facial bone CAT scan in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures.
METHODS
The medical records and facial bone CAT scan of 45 patients clinically suspected nasal bone fracture but was not diagnosed on simple radiologic findings were analyzed.
RESULTS
All of the 45 patients were confirmed as nasal bone fractures in the facial bone CAT scan. The most common cause of fracture was assault. The mean age was 23.2 years. Physical findings were tenderness (100%), swelling(93.3%), epistaxis(66.6%), deviation (42.2 %), external wound(17.7%) and crepitus(4.4%) in order.
CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the simple radiologic findings can not be conclusive, where the physical findings indicate a suspected nasal bone fracture. The facial bone CAT scan was more reliable for the correct diagnosis and follow-on treatment.

Keyword

Nasal bone fracture; Facial bone CAT scan

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cats*
Diagnosis*
Facial Bones*
Humans
Medical Records
Nasal Bone*