[Significance of ultrasonography for nasal fracture]

Nasal fracture is a common facial fracture. The diagnosis and evaluation of nasal fractures are commonly performed using X-ray and/or CT scans preoperatively and postoperatively. However, the diagnosis and intraoperative evaluation of nasal fractures using ultrasonography is not common. CT scans and ultrasonography studies were used to diagnosed twelve patients with nasal fractures, and ten patients were treated by closed reduction between November 2002 and February 2004. Ultrasonography was used intraoperatively to confirm adequate bone restoration. The ultrasound examinations were performed using the conventional method, with the application of ultrasound gel. The ultrasonography results and the CT scan of the nasal bone were almost the same, and ultrasonography may be suitable and sufficient for the diagnosis of nasal fractures. Moreover, objective intraoperative evaluations can only be performed using ultrasonography. Thus, we believe that ultrasonography is a useful tool for the diagnosis of nasal fractures and the evaluation of medical treatment.