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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDuring a physical exam, your doctor will ask about your injury, including the cause and any signs and symptoms. If you can, it's helpful to bring a "before" photograph for your doctor, since knowing the size, shape and appearance of your nose before injury can help him or her understand the extent of your trauma.
Your doctor may press gently on the outside of your nose and its surrounding areas. He or she may look inside your nasal passage to check for obstruction and further signs of broken bones. To look inside, your doctor may use an instrument (nasal speculum) designed to spread open your nostrils and a lighted tube (fiber-optic endoscope) to get the best look.
The exam to look inside your nasal passage will be uncomfortable. Anesthetics — in the form of nasal sprays or local injections — may be necessary to relieve your pain.
X-rays and other imaging studies are usually unnecessary. However, your doctor may recommend a computerized tomography (CT) scan if he or she is unable to conduct a thorough physical exam due to the severity of your injury, or if he or she suspects you may have other injuries.
- Kucik CJ. Management of acute nasal fractures. American Family Physician. 2004;70:1315.
- Pope TT, et al. Maxillofacial and neck trauma. In: Stone CK, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3101510. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Fractures of the nose. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec21/ch312/ch312d.html. Accessed May 30, 2009.
- Mendez DR, et al. Nasal trauma and fractures in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- Nasal fractures. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Nasal-Fractures.cfm. Accessed May 30, 2009.
- Blum DJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 5, 2009.
