Journal of Medical Council of Iran
Volume 43, Issue 4 (2025)
jmciri 2025, 43(4): 79-81 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Farahbakhsh F, Kouhi A, Heidari F, Erfanian R. Beyond Diagnosis: The Predictive Role of Nasal Radiography in the Treatment Success of Nasal Bone Fractures. jmciri 2025; 43 (4) :79-81
URL: http://jmciri.ir/article-1-3432-en.html
URL: http://jmciri.ir/article-1-3432-en.html
Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir-Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (5 Views)
Abstract
Nasal trauma is one of the most frequent causes of patient visits to otolaryngology emergency departments across healthcare centers in Iran. Given the high volume of such cases, selecting the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach can significantly reduce complications, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patient satisfaction.
In the article titled “Comparison Between Radiological and Clinical Findings in the Diagnosis of Nasal Bone Fractures” [1], published in the Scientific Journal of the Iranian Medical Council, the authors evaluated the diagnostic value of radiography in nasal bone fractures. Among 174 patients with a clinical diagnosis of nasal fracture, 131 (81%) had positive radiographic findings, while 33 (19%) showed negative radiographs despite clinical signs. Additionally, 26% of patients presented with periorbital ecchymosis. These findings highlight the relative limitations of radiography in the initial diagnosis of nasal fractures.
In a separate study conducted by my colleagues at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery [2], 80 patients with nasal fractures underwent closed reduction. Of these, 56 patients (70%) were successfully treated. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the absence of a visible fracture line on lateral nasal radiographs and unsuccessful reduction (p = 0.000). Furthermore, the presence of periorbital ecchymosis was significantly associated with successful reduction (p = 0.042).
A common observation in many Iranian healthcare centers is the routine use of lateral nasal radiography primarily for legal documentation and medical record completion, rather than for clinical decision-making. However, interpreting nasal radiographs is often challenging due to anatomical variability and the limited clarity of fracture lines, which can lead to confusion among patients and even hesitation in clinical decision-making.
Based on the above findings, it is recommended that nasal radiography be considered not only as a diagnostic tool but also as a predictor of treatment success. The presence of a visible fracture line on lateral nasal radiographs may serve as a valuable indicator for selecting the most appropriate treatment strategy—namely, whether or not to perform closed reduction—and for estimating the likelihood of therapeutic success. This approach could significantly improve patient selection for intervention and reduce the incidence of unsuccessful reductions.
Nasal trauma is one of the most frequent causes of patient visits to otolaryngology emergency departments across healthcare centers in Iran. Given the high volume of such cases, selecting the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach can significantly reduce complications, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patient satisfaction.
In the article titled “Comparison Between Radiological and Clinical Findings in the Diagnosis of Nasal Bone Fractures” [1], published in the Scientific Journal of the Iranian Medical Council, the authors evaluated the diagnostic value of radiography in nasal bone fractures. Among 174 patients with a clinical diagnosis of nasal fracture, 131 (81%) had positive radiographic findings, while 33 (19%) showed negative radiographs despite clinical signs. Additionally, 26% of patients presented with periorbital ecchymosis. These findings highlight the relative limitations of radiography in the initial diagnosis of nasal fractures.
In a separate study conducted by my colleagues at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and published in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery [2], 80 patients with nasal fractures underwent closed reduction. Of these, 56 patients (70%) were successfully treated. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the absence of a visible fracture line on lateral nasal radiographs and unsuccessful reduction (p = 0.000). Furthermore, the presence of periorbital ecchymosis was significantly associated with successful reduction (p = 0.042).
A common observation in many Iranian healthcare centers is the routine use of lateral nasal radiography primarily for legal documentation and medical record completion, rather than for clinical decision-making. However, interpreting nasal radiographs is often challenging due to anatomical variability and the limited clarity of fracture lines, which can lead to confusion among patients and even hesitation in clinical decision-making.
Based on the above findings, it is recommended that nasal radiography be considered not only as a diagnostic tool but also as a predictor of treatment success. The presence of a visible fracture line on lateral nasal radiographs may serve as a valuable indicator for selecting the most appropriate treatment strategy—namely, whether or not to perform closed reduction—and for estimating the likelihood of therapeutic success. This approach could significantly improve patient selection for intervention and reduce the incidence of unsuccessful reductions.
Type of Study: Letter to Editor |
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |