In children less than 3 years of age, do not perform X-rays of the nasal bones if a fracture is suspected.

Type of practice

Imaging

Topic Area

Medical Radiology

Although nasal fractures represent about half of facial fractures in pediatric age, the frequency is much lower in children under 3 years of age, in whom the cartilage component of the nasal skeleton prevails (with poor development of the cortical bone component) and there is reduced emergence from the facial profile of the nasal pyramid. In trauma the septum is mainly injured, fractured longitudinally in the anterior portion or displaced, as is common in neonatal fractures. The diagnosis is clinical while the evaluation with an X-ray is not very reliable due to the absence or incomplete ossification and the prevalence of cartilage and soft tissues, with paranasal sinuses that are often small and poorly pneumatized. In select cases, based on precise clinical indications, CT is the exam of choice for the optimal evaluation in detail.

Sources

1. M. Ronis, L.Veidere , D. Marnauza, L. Micko et al. (2016) MMSE Journal. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.1.4639.4001
2. A. Alcalá-Galiano, I. J. Arribas-García, M. A. Martín-Pérez, A. Romance, et al. (2008) RadioGraphics 28:441–461
3. Y. Hahyun, J. Minseok, K. Youngjun , C. Youngwoong (2019) Arch Craniofac Surg. 20(4): 228–232

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