Nasal Bone Fractures In Children And Adolescents. Patient Demographics, Etiology of The Fracture and Evaluation of Plain Film Radiography as a Diagnostic Method in Children’s Clinical University Hospital

Nasal bones are the second most common site of fractures in the craniofacial area in pediatric population. Nasal fractures are less common in very young children mostly due to underdeveloped nasal bones and other factors. Nasal bone fractures can be diagnosed clinically. Plain film radiographs are not indicated if an uncomplicated fracture is suspected. They may be difficult to interpret and have low specificity and sensitivity. Aim. To retrospectively collect data of patients admitted to the Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology department with the diagnosis ?Fracture of nasal bones” S02.2 (ICD-10) from 01.01.2012 to 31.12.2014. To obtain descriptive statistics concerning pediatric patients. Also, to evaluate if the plain film x-ray is a necessity when diagnosing nasal bone fractures and its impact on the decision for surgical reduction of the fracture. Results. During the time period of three years given above there were 153 patients admitted to the ENT department with diagnosis S02.2. Among those 120 (78,4%) were male and 33 (21,6%) were female. Most patients, 103, were 13 to 17 years old. The etiology of trauma was obtained from 89 (58,2%) patients’ histories. Convincingly the most common cause was sports trauma in 43. Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant connection (p=0,296) between the positive findings of nasal bone fractures and the decision to perform a reduction of the fracture. However, it showed a statistically significant association (p<0,05) between deformity of the nose and the decision to perform the reduction. Conclusions. Based on the descriptive statistics a risk group of nasal bone fracture patients in pediatric population can be outlined ? boys who do contact sports in their early teenage years. As to plain film radiography it is safe to conclude that it is unreliable for the evaluation of nasal fractures in children. Furthermore, this study showed, that the decision for the surgical reduction of the fracture can be based on the results of a thorough patient examination and the fact that the patient presents with a visual deformity of the nose.