Nasal bone fracture--ultrasonography or computed tomography?

AIM The aim of the study is to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and utility of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) in comparison with a gold standard technique in the diagnosis of the nasal fracture. PATIENTS AND METHOD Using a retrospective study design, facial Computed Tomography (CT) and HRUS examinations were performed on 87 consecutive patients with nasal trauma. Ultrasonograms were obtained with a high frequency linear transducer (10 MHz). All patients also underwent facial conventional radiography (CR). The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of nasal fracture was evaluated for HRUS, CT and CR in comparison with the clinical examination. Then sensitivity and specificity of HRUS and CR were evaluated in comparison with CT. RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of HRUS, CT and CR in comparison with clinical exam in the diagnosis of nasal bone fracture was 97% and 100%, 86% and 87%, 72% and 73% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of HRUS and CR in detecting fracture line in comparison with CT was 100% respectively 91%, and 79% respectively 95%. CONCLUSION HRUS is a reliable and available method for diagnosis of nasal bone fractures especially in the fracture, which is confined to the nasal bone and can be used as a modality of choice for investigation of nasal fracture.