About the disease

Broken nasal bone is a fracture, which can in some cases be a crack or a break. This fracture is very often accompanied by damage of the nasal cartilage, which divides the nose into two parts. Broken nasal bone is a very common condition, as it is very susceptible to fractures. It is usually caused by traumas or certain accidents, whereas the nasal bone and cartilage are damaged. There are several types of fractures  of the nasal bone, ranging from mild to severe. If left untreated, it can result in certain nose deformity. In severe cases, there can be a considerable shift of the nasal bone from normal, which can be visible. Fracture is most often accompanied by a nosebleeding and problems with breathing fully. In this case, a person start to breathe by mouth. Air-flow problems are the most common manifestations of a fracture of the nasal bone, as well as acute pain. 

Fracture of a nasal bone rarely presents any real danger. In mild cases a person may not even go to the doctor and use simple cold compress to stop the nosebleeding and to prevent bruising as much as possible. In severe cases, nonetheless, this fracture can become a medical emergency if the blood flow becomes disrupted. 

Broken nasal bones is most common in adults, especially in athletes and sportsmen. Children are less susceptible to nasal fractures as their nose bone is less brittle and fragile. 

Symptoms

• Acute pain in the nose
• Nose bleeding
• Bruising
• Displacement of the nasal bone
• Swelling

Diagnosis

During a general examination a doctor will examine the nasal bone and the cartilage for the signs of an asymmetry. He will also measure both sides of the nose to determine if the nose was in any way displaced and if it deviates from normal.

An X-ray of the nose is used to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the extent of the fracture. This imaging test is usually enough for a final diagnosis.

Treatment

Surgical correction and repositioning is a surgery, whereas a doctor repositions the nose if it was displaced and then fixates it in the normal position. This procedures needs to be done in the period of 10 days after the fracture took place, otherwise it will be impossible to reposition nose correctly without serious surgical intervention in future. 

Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery, used to reconstruct the shape of the nose if it was severely damaged and needs major surgery to improve its appearance.

Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko