[Conventional radiological examination of the nasal bone--helpful or superfluous? Case histories and literature survey].

Fractures of the nasal pyramid are among the most common injuries to the skull. Numerous studies have shown that conventional radiological examination of simple fractures of the nose give no information that is helpful either in reaching a diagnosis or in deciding on the therapeutic management. Nevertheless, physicians still frequently refer patients for such examinations to check for fractures. It is now increasingly important to reduce the costs, and particularly to avoid unhelpful investigations and unnecessary radiation exposure.