How is it Possible that Xray Would Show No Fracture When Another Doctor Told Me There Was One?

The diagnosis of fractures of the nasal bones by x-ray is highly unreliable. Nasal fractures are frequently misdiagnosed by plain x-ray films. CT scans are much more accurate and this explains why no actual bone fracture has been detected. At this early point after the injury, the apparent bump and runny nose are all reactions to the injury and should go away in a few weeks. What counts after any nasal injury is how it looks and not what an x-rays says. I would wait a full 6 to 8 weeks after the injury to see how it looks then. It is possible that you have sustained some cartilage damage/misalignment and whether that exists will become apparent when all the swelling has subsided.

There are several explanations, but as others have said here, xrays are not the best way to diagnose a nasal fracture. However, if the radiologist report and the surgeon both don't see a fracture on a dedicated fine cut axial maxillofacial CT scan, there isn't likely a significant fracture that requires surgical treatment. One thing less commonly noted is you can have a fracture of the cartilage, which makes up the lower 2/3 of your nose. This will usually manifest as a deviated nasal septum with new breathing difficulties. If you have a new nasal deformity after trauma, I would recommend a second opinion with another surgeon. High quality photos of your nose prior to the injury would be most helpful to the surgeon and for getting the surgery covered by insurance.