Imaging features of rhinoplasty

Cosmetic rhinoplasty encompasses a diverse group of procedures, including alteration of the radix, nasal dorsum, nasal tip, and nasal base; premaxillary augmentation; septoplasty; and combinations thereof. Similarly, many different types of grafts and alloplastic materials can be used in cosmetic rhinoplasty, such as cartilage, bone, silicone, porous polyethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and calcium hydroxylapatite. Complications of rhinoplasty that can be observed on imaging include retained metallic surgical instrument fragments, infection, implant extrusion, nerve impingement by implants, nasal valve collapse, and implant deformity. Knowledge of the basic surgical procedures and potential complications of cosmetic rhinoplasty is important for adequately interpreting postoperative radiologic imaging studies.