Authors of section

Authors

Daniel Borsuk, Juan Carlos Orellana Tosi, Gulraiz Zulfiqar

Executive Editors

Paul Manson

General Editor

Daniel Buchbinder

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NOE Type I fracture

Definition

Single large NOE fragment bearing the medial canthal tendon in unilateral Markowitz type I fractures.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures

Involvement of the nasal bone

The nasal bone is also frequently involved. In cases of comminution, it may not provide adequate dorsal support to the nasal bridge.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures

Association with frontal sinus fractures

NOE fractures are often associated with frontal sinus fractures.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures

General

The nasoorbitoethmoid (NOE) fracture refers to injuries involving the area of confluence of the nose, orbit, ethmoids, the base of the frontal sinus, and the floor of the anterior cranial base. The area includes the insertion of the medial canthal tendon(s). NOE fractures, by definition, are a different entity to isolated nasal bone fractures as they extend medially to the bone bearing the medial canthal ligaments and the ethmoid sinuses. However, they are often associated with fractures of the nasal bones.

NOE fractures are most commonly classified as:

  • Type I
  • Type II
  • Type III

These can be unilateral or bilateral injuries.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures

Involvement of buttresses

NOE complex fractures involve the upper portion of the medial vertical (nasomaxillary) buttresses of the facial skeleton. Click here for further details on buttresses.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures

Radiographic findings

This 3D CT scan shows a left unilateral NOE fracture in one complete piece with displacement. Other facial fractures are also visible.

NOE Type I

There is some comminution of the nasal bones.

Diagnosis of NOE fractures
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