A blow to the nose: common injury requiring skillful management.

The physician who initially examines the patient with a nasal or facial injury should thoroughly inspect the external and internal aspects of the nose and also evaluate the facial bones. General anesthesia may be necessary in examining children. Although roentgenograms of the nose and facial bones are usually obtained in cases of nasal injury, they rarely influence treatment. Treatment goals should be to maintain or restore satisfactory function and to ensure a good cosmetic result. The patient (or parents) should be advised to be alert to possible delayed abnormalities from the injury.