X-Ray Nasal Bone (Lat View) Test

Nasal fractures are one of the most common facial fractures in adults as well as children but still most of the physicians and even patients do not notice them. Patients with nasal fractures are usually presented with some deformity, tenderness, haemorrhage, edema and instability. To make it more complicated edema can mask underlying instability and deformity. This makes it difficult for the physicians to diagnose the deformity and go for appropriate treatment of the same. The X- ray test uses plain images with lateral nasal views to diagnose the nasal fractures. X ray test with lateral view have 82% reliable rate.

The patient is told to change his/her clothes and wear a gown usually. The patient is given a contrast medium such as barium or iodine. The contrast medium helps outline the specific area in form of an x-ray image. The patient may receive the contrasting medium in form of an injection or enema. Specific instructions for the X-ray are given by the doctor or the health professional.

Nasal bone fractures account for 50% of facial injuries. Majority of these injuries involve two- thirds of the nose. Lateral impact injuries are the most common type of nasal injuries that lead to nasal bone fracture. An x-ray can help a physician to know the cause of problems with nose lie swelling or any other abnormalities that cause pain and require an internal view. An x-ray test is requested by the physician when the person has met with an accident and his nose, head or skull has been injured

A good physical examination is still used as an effective method for identifying nad assessing nasal fractures. A film similar to a photographic film is placed adjusting it behind the nose to x-ray the nasal bones. The X-ray machines fires a short bursts and the rays hit the film. The film starts developing an image. The rays start blackening the image.

Dense part of the bodies that block the X-ray appear white. The hollow parts look black and the soft tissues in the body seem grey. An ordinary x-ray does not hurt. The procedure is painless.