USE OF THE 20-MHZ ULTRASONIC SCANNER FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF NASAL FRACTURES

High frequency B-scan ultrasonography is a proven method for the asses sment of skin tumors and evaluation of the thickness of skin and carti lage layers. Only limited studies have used sonography to examine bony structures. Our goal was to evaluate the importance of ultrasonograph y in the diagnosis of nasal fractures. Patients with clinical and/or r adiological evidence for such fractures were also examined with 20 MHz B-scan ultrasonography. Results of sonography demonstrated a signific ant correlation with the nasal fractures present, indicating that addi tional radiographic examinations are unnecessary in certain cases.