Diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography and computed tomography in the diagnosis of nasal bone fracture

Abstract

Objective: To compare the diagnostic abilities of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) and computed tomography (CT) in different types of nasal bone fractures (NBFs).

Methodology: Clinical data of patients with suspected NBFs who were examined in the second hospital of Hebei Medical University from April 2023 to April 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent HRUS and CT examination. Based on the results of CT examination and the characteristics of ultrasound images, NBFs were characterized as: simple linear fracture, comminuted fracture, compound fracture and incomplete fracture.

Results: According to the CT examination, out of 100 cases of suspected NBFs, there were 38 cases of simple linear fractures, 18 cases of comminuted fractures, 11 cases of compound fractures, four cases of incomplete fractures and 29 cases of undetected NBF. HRUS identified 41 cases of simple linear fractures, 19 cases of comminuted fractures, nine cases of compound fractures, four cases of incomplete fractures and in 27 cases, NBFs were not detected. The detection rates of HRUS and CT examination were 73.0% and 71.0%, respectively, with no significant difference in diagnostic ability (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: HRUS and CT have similar efficacy in diagnosing different types of nasal bone fractures (NBFs.).