The effect of treatment for epistaxis secondary to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is the most common symptom in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Different treatment options have been described but with little reference to their effect on quality of life or disease severity. METHODS: This study prospectively investigated the effect of nasal closure, argon laser, and a combination of septodermoplasty and argon laser treatments on quality-of-life scores and disease severity ratings in a group of 29 patients with moderate to severe epistaxis referred to a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: The only group of patients who showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in quality of life were those who underwent nasal closure. In addition, the nasal closure patients were the only group in which there was a complete cessation of bleeding. CONCLUSION: Nasal closure should be offered to patients with moderate to severe epistaxis secondary to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia that has proved unresponsive to other treatment.