Percutaneous embolization to control intractable epistaxis

Recurrent epistaxis is a common manifestation of patients with a bleeding diathesis. Two patients with epistaxis secondary to a bleeding diathesis managed by local conservative techniques are reviewed. (A case of polycythemia vera and a case of liver failure secondary to hepatoma are reviewed.) Recently bilateral, percutaneous carotid angiography examination was performed on a patient with a bleeding diathesis and intractable epistaxis. At the time of the angiographic examination, embolization of both internal maxillary arteries with Gelfoam particles was accomplished and dramatic control of the epistaxis was achieved. In a patient with severe epistaxis secondary to a bleeding diathesis that is unresponsive to local measures, percutaneous Gelfoam embolization offers substantial advantages over surgical intervention.     

Superselective angiographic embolization for intractable epistaxis

CONCLUSIONS: Routine embolization of the ipsilateral facial artery (FA) is effective because of the high success rate. The use of different embolic materials for the internal maxillary artery (IMA) and the FA was considered safe because of the absence of major complications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of routine embolization of the FA as well as the IMA ipsilateral to the bleeding site for intractable epistaxis, and outcomes using different embolic materials for the FA and the IMA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with intractable epistaxis who underwent superselective embolization were retrospectively analyzed with a mean follow-up of 7 months. The FA and the IMA ipsilateral to the bleeding site were embolized. Two embolic materials, gelatin sponge and microcoils, were used for the IMA and the FA, respectively. RESULTS: The short-term success rate within the first 7 days was 77.3% (17/22). The long-term success rate was 95.5% (21/22). There were no major complications in 22 cases. Minor complications occurred in 13 cases (59%). These minor complications usually did not last more than a week and most resolved within a day.     

顽固性鼻出血的治疗

目的 探讨不同治疗方法对顽固性鼻出血的意义。方法 224例顽固性鼻出血病例中,50例行颈外动脉结扎,35例行筛动脉结扎,鼻内镜下治疗139例,鼻咽填塞3例。结果 224例中,随访3个月,颈外动脉结扎者复发率22.00%,筛动脉结扎者复发率17.14%,鼻内镜下治疗者复发率4.32%。结论 应用鼻内镜辅助检查明确出血灶后局部止血效果明显,且复发率低。     

Selective embolization in the treatment of intractable epistaxis

CONCLUSIONS: In skilled hands, selective embolization is a safe procedure and represents an effective treatment for prolonged epistaxis. Embolization therapy can be repeated if necessary. OBJECTIVE: Severe posterior epistaxis is a common clinical problem in an ENT department and controlling the bleeding may present difficulties. Several methods are used to control posterior epistaxis, one of the latest treatment strategies being selective embolization of the nasal arteries. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of selective embolization in 22 patients treated with a total of 30 procedures at the ENT Department of Odense University Hospital between January 1995 and March 2004. To our knowledge this is the first Nordic work in which selective embolization has been used as a treatment strategy for patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review. Post-treatment effects and complications were evaluated by means of a questionnaire and a telephone interview. Owing to the different treatment strategies used, the results were evaluated for 2 groups of patients: Group A, 9 patients with HHT; and Group B, 13 patients with causes of epistaxis other than HHT. RESULTS: In Group A, 15 procedures were performed, 12 of which were beneficial as the duration and number of episodes of epistaxis were reduced. In Group B, 15 procedures were performed and the success rate was 87%. One patient suffered from skin necrosis at the tip of the nose. No other serious side-effects of the treatment were observed.     

Selective embolization in the treatment of intractable epistaxis

Conclusions. In skilled hands, selective embolization is a safe procedure and represents an effective treatment for prolonged epistaxis. Embolization therapy can be repeated if necessary. Objective. Severe posterior epistaxis is a common clinical problem in an ENT department and controlling the bleeding may present difficulties. Several methods are used to control posterior epistaxis, one of the latest treatment strategies being selective embolization of the nasal arteries. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of selective embolization in 22 patients treated with a total of 30 procedures at the ENT Department of Odense University Hospital between January 1995 and March 2004. To our knowledge this is the first Nordic work in which selective embolization has been used as a treatment strategy for patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Material and methods. This was a retrospective review. Post-treatment effects and complications were evaluated by means of a questionnaire and a telephone interview. Owing to the different treatment strategies used, the results were evaluated for 2 groups of patients: Group A, 9 patients with HHT; and Group B, 13 patients with causes of epistaxis other than HHT. Results. In Group A, 15 procedures were performed, 12 of which were beneficial as the duration and number of episodes of epistaxis were reduced. In Group B, 15 procedures were performed and the success rate was 87%. One patient suffered from skin necrosis at the tip of the nose. No other serious side-effects of the treatment were observed.     

超选择性血管栓塞术治疗严重鼻出血

目的 探讨超选择性血管栓塞术治疗严重鼻出血的效果。方法 回顾性分析1995年7月-2000年10月采用超选择性血管栓塞术治疗常规方法不能控制的6例严重鼻出血,总结经验和教训。结果 5例一次栓塞成功,1例因栓塞物返流并发脑梗塞死亡。结论 超选择性血管栓塞术可直视下辨明出血血管,栓塞效果显著,但有严重并发症的潜在危险,应严格掌握适应证。     

Superselective embolization for intractable epistaxis: experiences with 19 patients

Twenty-eight patients with intractable nose-bleeds were treated with either superselective embolization and/or surgery between 1983 and 1986. The follow-up time ranged between 6 months and 3 years. The results for the 2 groups were similar. The success rate for embolization was 74% and that for surgery 65%. Complications however, were more frequent after embolization, (i.e. facial nerve paralysis, soft tissue necrosis). Surgery is recommended as the treatment of choice in intractable nose-bleeds, until therapeutic embolization techniques have been further refined and the complication rate reduced.     

超选择性颈外动脉分支栓塞术在难治性鼻出血中的应用

目的:探讨经微导管超选择性颈外动脉分支栓塞术在治疗难治性鼻出血中的应用价值。方法:46例难治性鼻出血患者,首选超选择性颈外动脉分支栓塞术者36例,首选颈外动脉结扎者10例。结果:36例首选颈外动脉分支栓塞术者1次性治愈32例(88.9%),10例首选颈外动脉结扎者1次性治愈4例(40.0%)。前者平均住院4.8d,后者平均住院10d。复发患者均经综合方法有效止血,并发症少。结论:经微导管超选择性颈外动脉分支栓塞术治疗难治性鼻出血简便、安全、有效,疗效明显优于颈外动脉结扎,综合运用多种方法能有效治疗难治性鼻出血。     

Postraumatic massive epistaxis. An indication for selective arterial embolization

We report a 38 years old male admitted to our hospital with massive epistaxis secondary to nasal trauma which required to perform a posterior packing, transfusion and embolization of the internal maxillary artery for stopping the nosebleed. Then we made a FENS (Functional Endoscopic Nasal Surgery) by cauterization of several bleeding points on nasal septum following an anterior packing that was removed after 48 hours without new epistaxis. In a patient like this we think that an angiography with selective embolization is the main choice when other options have failed.     

Assessment of safety and efficacy of arterial embolisation in the management of intractable epistaxis

To evaluate outcomes of intractable epistaxis managed with arterial embolisation. Fourteen sequential cases of intractable epistaxis that underwent embolisation in our centre were evaluated retrospectively and interviewed over the phone. All patients had several failed treatment modalities prior to embolisation. Patients’ follow up ranged from 1 to 57 months with median of 26 months. All 14 cases underwent a single embolisation procedure with successful arrest of epistaxis. Four cases (29%) developed recurrent epistaxis at a later date. One (7%) required re-embolisation 19 months after his first procedure. One bled 17 days after embolisation, but this settled with hospital admission and Bismuth Iodoform Paraffin Paste packing. The other two developed minor episodes of epistaxis, which did not require hospital admission. Two patients developed local ischaemic complications following arterial embolisation. Of those, one developed necrosis of the left alar skin and cartilage that healed reasonably well after 5 months. The other case developed mucosal necrosis of the right side of the hard palate; this patient was the one who bled 17 days post-embolisation. The palatal necrosis healed in a satisfactory manner without causing any functional impairment of the oral cavity. Embolisation is a successful intervention in management of persistent epistaxis, when other interventions fail. The risks of major complications such as stroke are well known, and discussed with patients prior to the procedure. It is also important to discuss the risks of ischaemic damage to the face and oral cavity. In our experience, these complications have been minor and the benefits still outweigh the complications.     

顽固性鼻腔后部出血的手术治疗

本文综述了近年国外对顽固性鼻腔后部出血手术治疗的相关文献，对前-后鼻腔填塞术、颈外动脉结扎术、血管造影颌内动脉栓塞术、鼻内镜下经鼻腔蝶腭动脉结扎术等手术方法及其疗效进行分析，提出对顽固性鼻腔后部出血病人应根据具体情况选择最合适的手术治疗方法。     

Transarterial embolization in the management of intractable epistaxis: the angiographic findings and results based on etiologies

Conclusions: Transarterial embolization (TAE) appears to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with intractable epistaxis, despite different etiologies or angiography findings. Idiopathic epistaxis is prone to present with negative angiographic findings. Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TAE for intractable epistaxis, and focus on the factors of etiology and angiographic findings. Materials and methods: From March 2008 to December 2014, the data of 43 patients with intractable bleeding undergoing TAE were reviewed. The outcomes of interventional therapy were assessed according to different etiology (malignant or benign disease) and angiographic finding (positive or negative angiogram). Results: Positive angiographic findings were found in 11 of 12 cases with malignant diseases and 22 of 31 cases with benign diseases, respectively (p?=?0.237). Among the 10 cases with negative angiographic findings, the negative angiography rate of idiopathic epistaxis was higher than that of epistaxis with definite etiology (p?=?0.003). Bleeding was controlled successfully in all of the 43 patients after embolization. During the mean follow-up period of 24.0?±?16.7 months, five patients relapsed. No significant difference was found in recurrence rates between malignant and benign diseases or between positive and negative angiography (p?=?0.241, p?=?0.704, respectively).     

鼻内窥镜下诊治难治性鼻出血68例分析

目的：探讨难治性鼻出血常见的出血部位及治疗方法。方法:回顾分析经内窥镜诊治的难治性鼻出血68例的临床资料,分析其出血部位及治疗效果。结果:出血部位在下鼻道顶部占27.9%(19/68)、嗅裂鼻中隔占20.7%(14/68)、中鼻道后上部占16.1%(11/68)、中鼻甲后端蝶腭动脉区和鼻中隔后端均为10.3%（7/68）、鼻咽顶占5.9%（4/68）、Woodruff静脉丛和部位不明均为4.4%(3/68)。1次治愈59例(86.7%),2次9例(13.3%),随访1～3个月均无复发。结论:应用鼻内窥镜检查鼻腔深部的出血并在镜下电凝或填塞止血安全有效。     

全麻下鼻内镜治疗老年难治性鼻出血89例临床分析

目的 观察全麻鼻内镜下电凝结合鼻腔填塞治疗老年难治性鼻出血的临床疗效。方法 将135例老年难治性鼻出血患者分为2组,观察组(89例)行全麻鼻内镜下电凝结合鼻腔填塞治疗,对照组(46例)行常规前后鼻孔填塞。结果 观察组1次治愈86例,2次治愈3例,总有效率100%;对照组1次治愈24例、2次治愈17例,总有效率89.1%。两组差异有统计学意义。结论 全麻鼻内镜下电凝结合鼻腔填塞治疗老年难治性鼻出血安全、有效,值得临床推广。     

Transarterial embolization to control posterior epistaxis

Posterior nasal epistaxis is a challenging problem for the oto-laryngologist, particularly when patients are critically ill after significant blood loss. The purpose of this paper is to describe a new radiologic technique designed to enhance the treatment of acute nasal hemorrhage. Seven patients with posterior nasal epistaxis underwent portable, computerized, digital subtraction angiography before embolization. Results are presented, and the advantages and limitations of this approach are compared and contrasted with those of nasal packing and arterial ligation. We conclude that this new procedure permits rapid location of the bleeding source and safe, rapid placement of a maxillary arterial catheter for hemostasis by embolization.     

鼻内镜下治疗顽固性鼻出血448例

目的 探讨鼻内镜下治疗顽固性鼻出血的方法及效果。方法 对448例顽固性鼻出血患者在鼻内镜引导下寻找出血部位,行局部处理以止血。结果 426例1次止血成功,成功率为95.1%。结论 采用鼻内镜引导下治疗顽固性鼻出血有视野清楚、止血彻底、效果稳定等优点。     

Treatment of severe epistaxis by superselective embolization: a review of 22 cases

OBJECTIVES: Epistaxis represents one of the most common ENT emergencies. In this paper, the authors report their experience in treating some cases of severe epistaxis by super-selective embolization of the afferent vessels of the nasal fossae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 22 patients with severe recurrent epistaxis (1 anterior and 21 posterior). All patients had been treated unsuccessfully with repeated anteroposterior nasal packing, and presented significant secondary anaemia. Selective embolization procedures were performed under local anaesthesia. An arterial introducer is inserted into the femoral artery -generally the right one- and diagnosis as well as treatment are performed with the same guide catheter. In all cases, the terminal branches of the facial artery and of the internal maxillary artery on the side on which the haemorrhage occurred were embolized. Moreover the contralateral internal maxillary artery was always embolized as well, in order to prevent immediate recurrence of hypervascularisation of the mucosa through anastomotic paths. RESULTS: In all patients, complete devascularisation was achieved in the areas of the embolized arteries at the nasal mucous membranes, arresting the epistaxis. None of the cases experienced complications attributable to treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Superselective arteriography with embolization can be considered as the method of choice in treating severe epistaxis because it can be performed under local anaesthesia and can easily be repeated if the first procedure is not successful. Moreover, it is at least as effective as ligation of the internal maxillary artery, if not more so, but it has a significantly lower complication rate which is destined to fall as the quality of the materials being used continues to improve.