indentation caused by collapse

My nose was normal when I was little. As I got older it grew more bulbous. About 10 years ago I started to notice an indentation in my left nostril. The cartilage appears to have collapsed and inside my nose is a bump which appears to be from the cartilage and skin that is sunken in above it. When I look at myself in a mirror or in pictures it appears that my nose is indented and the tip seems to be becoming more pronounced. I can tell that my breathing is somewhat blocked, but I am able to breathe through my nose.  What could cause this situation and how can it be corrected? What is the success rate in correcting this type of deformity?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Your problem of nasal tip deformity most probably can be corrected with an open rhinoplasty.  The cause of the problem cannot be determined, but is often the result of some type of trauma to the nose.  A localplastic surgeon can advise you about the success of a surgical procedure to correct the problem.