Ces radiol. 2017, 71(2):132-136 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2017/017

Endovascular treatment of refractory epistaxisOriginal article

Filip Cihlář¹, Zuzana Prokopová², Vojtěch Šmolka¹, Karel Sláma², Jan Svoboda¹

¹ Radiologické oddělení, Masarykova nemocnice o.z., Krajská zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem

² ORL oddělení a chirurgie hlavy a krku, Masarykova nemocnice o.z., Krajská zdravotní a.s., Ústí nad Labem

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate clinical management of patients admitted for epistaxis with special focus on results of endovascular treatment.

Methods: In total 185 patients were admitted due to epistaxis during 2012-2016. A cohort of 39 consecutive patients who underwent embolisation has been evaluated. Clinical results of embolisation have been reviewed retrospectively. In the study we have recorded either the type of nasal packing or the number of embolised arteries or endoscopic treatment. We have also evaluated the type of surgical procedures applied, complications and the length of hospital stay.

Results: In total 41 embolisation procedures were performed in 39 patients with technical success reaching 97.6% and clinical success reaching 80%. Early bleeding was managed twice by nasal packing and six times by surgery. No major complications were noted. Minor complications include a small alar decubitus in one patient (2.5%) and temporofacial pain in four patients (10%).

Conclusion: Refractory epistaxis is difficult to treat. Endovascular treatment is a feasible and an effective method. Embolisation can be performed under local anesthesia and is associated with a shorter hospital stay. In our hospital embolisation is a first line treatment in most cases of the refractory epistaxis.

Keywords: epistaxis, embolisation, PVA particles

Accepted: March 30, 2017; Published: June 1, 2017  Show citation