Trauma Flashcards
If someone presents with nasal trauma, what are some things you should ask them about?
Mechanism of injury, epistaxis, loss of consciousness, breathing
What is the most important thing to exclude in an individual presenting with nasal trauma?
Septal haematoma
Where does the cartilage of the nasal septum get its blood supply from?
The perichondrium (connective tissue which envelopes cartilage which is not at a joint)
Describe what happens in septal haematoma?
There is a clot in the perichondrium which disrupts the blood supply to the nasal septum, causing it to die. If this cartilage then becomes necrosed, the nose can sink into the face within a month.
If a septal haematoma is present in nasal trauma, how is it managed?
Drainage
What investigation is used for a nasal fracture?
No investigation, clinical diagnosis
What should you assess in a patient with a nasal fracture? When should you see them again?
Assess for breathing and arrange follow up in 5-7 days
What are the management options for nasal fractures?
No intervention, or it can be physical straightened out, but only within the first 2 weeks
What are some complications of nasal fractures?
Epistaxis, CSF leak, anosmia
Epistaxis following a nasal fracture is most likely coming from which artery?
Anterior ethmoid artery
Anosmia is a result of a nasal fracture is usually caused by a fracture specifically where?
Cribiform plate
What are the management options for epistaxis?
Resuscitate on arrival if necessary. Then stop/slow the flow with pressure, ice, vasoconstrictors. Remove the clot with anterior rhinoscopy or cautery
What should you not do to a patient with epistaxis?
Sedate them
CSF leaks following a nasal fracture often resolve spontaneously. When may they need a repair?
If it is still occurring at 10 days
CSF leaks following nasal fractures are most likely to be caused by fractures specifically where?
Cribiform plate
Should you give prophylactic antibiotics for a CSF leak?
No
What is pinna haematoma also known as?
Cauliflower ear
What happens in pinna haematoma?
Sub-perichondral haematoma occurs which if left untreated can cause the cartilage to die and structures to calcify