Is This Bump On The Tip Of My Nose After Rhinoplasty Cartilage or Scar?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I know you’re one of the top surgeons in the USA for revision. I had my nose job (primary) about 1.5 years ago. I’m satisfied however I notice a bump – ball lump like feeling on the side of my nose tip. I do not know if this is common. I read that it isn’t cartilage coming out as usually does shows after 3-6 weeks post op and not 1 year post up and plus. Do your patients usually get these or have these and is it due to maybe an acne or thick pore build up? What’s the resolution that you would do for this. If I took a photo you wouldn’t see it as when I put my finger on the side of my nose tip I can feel like a small ball. I attached a photo to show the area. 

However I’m thinking it could be a epidermoid cyst tip of nose. How do you remove these without any scarring?

A: Just based on this one picture it is more likely that you are seeing the cartilage underneath the skin. It can take 1 or 2 years sometimes after a rhinoplasty for the fine details of the shrink wrap effect of the the tissues to reveal the underlying osteocartilaginous anatomy particularly in the tip area. It would be very unlikely that a dermoid cyst could occur from an open rhinoplasty….not impossible but I have never seen it or heard of it occurring. Undermining the skin would not be a mechanism for its occurrence. Until proven otherwise I would assume this is due to the same of the underlying lower alar cartilage.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana