From nasal fractures to septal hematomas, broken noses can have several consequences. This blog discusses the common traumatic nasal injuries encountered by ear, nose, and throat specialists.
What are Traumatic Nasal Injuries?
A traumatic nasal injury is physical damage or harm sustained by the nasal structures due to an external force or trauma. These injuries can involve certain components of the nose, including bones, cartilage, soft tissues, and blood vessels, leading to symptoms like pain, swelling, bleeding, deformity, difficulty breathing, or nasal obstruction. Proper evaluation and management of these consequences of a “broken nose” can limit future complications and ensure optimal recovery.
Types of Traumatic Nasal Injuries
In general, traumatic nasal injuries commonly encountered include:
Nasal Fractures
Nasal fractures are one of the most common traumatic injuries affecting the nose. They often result from blunt force trauma, such as from a fall, sports injury, or car accident. Common symptoms include swelling, tenderness, difficulty breathing through the nose, and deformity in the shape of the nose. Diagnosis is often made through physical examination, medical history, and imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans. Treatment options for nasal fractures depend on the severity of the injury and may include observation, closed reduction (manual realignment of the bones), or surgery to reset the bones in their proper position.
Nasal Septal Hematoma
A nasal septal hematoma occurs when blood accumulates in the septum between the two nostrils following trauma. The nasal septum has three layers: a section of bone and cartilage in the middle with soft tissue lining on each side. If the trauma causes bleeding inside the tissue, the blood builds up in the septum. Nasal septal hematomas can lead to symptoms like nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, nasal obstruction, pain, and swelling. If left untreated, a nasal septal hematoma can cause complications such as infection, cartilage damage, a hole in the septum (septal perforation), or even a nasal deformity. Diagnosis is usually based on physical examination and may involve imaging studies like CT scans. Treatment typically involves drainage of the hematoma to relieve pressure and prevent complications. Early detection and treatment of nasal septal hematomas are essential to prevent complications and promote healing.
Nasal Soft Tissue Injuries
Nasal soft tissue injuries involve damage to the soft tissues surrounding the nose due to various causes like accidents or sports injuries. Symptoms of nasal soft tissue injuries may include pain, swelling, bruising, lacerations, contusions, or deformities of the nasal skin. Treatment for nasal soft tissue injuries depends on the severity of the injury and may involve wound care, such as cleaning the wound, applying topical antibiotics, and dressing changes. In some cases, more significant injuries may require sutures or other interventions to promote proper healing and prevent infection.
Nasal Vestibular Stenosis (Nasal Valve Stenosis)
Trauma can also lead to nasal vestibular stenosis, which is narrowing of the entrance of the nasal passages. This condition can lead to breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, and an increased sensation of airflow resistance during breathing. Nasal vestibular stenosis may result from trauma, previous surgeries, chronic inflammation, or congenital factors. Treatment options for nasal vestibular stenosis may include nasal dilator strips, nasal cones, or surgical interventions such as vestibuloplasty, radiofrequency remodeling of the nasal valves, or absorbable nasal implants to widen the nasal vestibule and improve airflow.
Nasal Septal Perforation
Nasal septal perforation is a condition characterized by the presence of a hole or opening in the nasal septum, which is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal passages. This type of hole can result from trauma, chronic inflammation (such as from nasal surgery, drug abuse, or autoimmune conditions), or nasal infections. Symptoms of nasal septal perforations may include crusting, whistling sound during breathing, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and occasionally nosebleeds. Management of nasal septal perforation depends on the size of the perforation, underlying causes, and symptoms, and may involve conservative measures like nasal saline sprays and lubricants, or surgical interventions such as septal button placement or surgical closure.
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