ENT Trauma Flashcards
name 5 keys points to determine in the history
- mechanism of injury
- when
- loss of consciousness?
- epistaxis
- breathing
examination of the nose - what are you looking for?
- bruising
- swelling
- tenderness
- deviation
- epistaxis
- facial tenderness
- infraorbital sensation
- CNS
what happens to the nose after frontal trauma
broadened and flattened
how is the nose examined in order to see deviation properly
from behind
septal haematoma
occurs in around 5% of cases of nasal trauma, is described to be boggy and moves
what is the DD of septal haematoma
septal deviation - this is firm
why is there a need for immediate treatment of septal haematoma
as the nasal blood supply comes from the perichondrium an untreated septal haematoma can lead to destruction of the nasal septum due to AVN
this can result in cartilage necrosis and collapse (saddle nose deformity)
treatment of septal haematoma
immediate drainage and excision
symtoms of deviated septum
obstruction of nostrils (breathing), nosebleeds, facial pain etc
is there a need for review after nasal injury?
yes, 5-7 days post incident in ENT
undisplaced nasal fracture treatment
may need none
displaced nasal fracture treatment
- Reduction under GA with post-op splintage within 2 weeks
post-op care of nasal reduction
- apply ice for 1 hour
- sleep with head elevated
- dont breathe through nose
- dont blow nose
- no vigorous exercise
septoplasty
corrects a deviated septum
septorhinoplasty
aims to striaghten and/or refashion the shape of the nose for cosmesis and to help breathing by improving the airway
complications of nasal trauma
epistaxis
CSF leak, meningitis
anosmia
which artery most commony causes epistaxis post nasal trauma
anterior ethmoidal
what causes a CSF leak post nasal trauma
ethmoid fractures that disrupt the dura and arachnoid mater
management of CSF leak post nasal trauma
conservative, usually lumbar drain and bedrest. often settle spontaneously, need repair if they dont within 10 days
- a dye is inserted into the CSF during lumbar drain, and then the nose it examined to determine the site of drainage so that it can be repaired
what causes anosmia post nasal trauma
cribriform plate fracture
most common site for epistaxis
anterior epistaxis most commonly occurs at Little’s area in the nasal septum