Over a 6-month period a record was kept of all patients presenting to
the accident and emergency (A&E) department with nasal injuries. The r
esults of the nasal radiographs were analysed to gauge their benefit.
It was found that there was poor correlation between the radiological
findings and the presence of external deformity, the latter determinin
g the decision to carry out treatment. Routine radiographs of the nose
are unnecessary in patients with nasal trauma.