Mohammad Saeid Ahmadi - Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Hamid Gol Mohammadi - Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Ali Seif Rabiei - Associate professor, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Malihe Akbarpour - Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

Introduction: Nasal bone fractures are one of the most common problems in patients who are referred to otolaryngology centers. We aimed to evaluate physical examination, sonography and conventional lateral nasal bone radiography in patients with nasal bone trauma and its relation to intra-operative findings.Methods: This prospective study was performed on ۲۰۰ patients with nasal trauma and those suspicious for nasal bone fracture. The results of physical examination, sonography and radiography were recorded in a check list and compared with intra-operative findings. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version ۲۱.۰ and the means of groups were compared using parametric or non-parametric tests according to the result of ۱-sample K-S test for normal distribution. P-values less than ۰.۰۵ were considered statistically significant.Results: Evaluation of ۲۰۰ patients and their sonography revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of this method was higher than the conventional lateral nasal bone radiography. Sonography compared to physical examination in the diagnosis of dorsum and lateral nasal bone fractures had higher sensitivity and specificity. For septal fractures, the specificity of physical examination was higher and the sensitivity of both methods was the same.Conclusion: Sonography with higher sensitivity and specificity is a useful method in the diagnosis of nasal bone fractures. In comparison to radiography it has no radiation; therefore, it is more useful for children and pregnant women.

Diagnostic Imaging, fracture, Nasal Bone, Ultrasonography