The selective angiographic diagnosis and endovascular embolization treatment of severe epistaxis

Objective To evaluate selective angiographic diagnosis and embolization of severe epistaxis in 57 cases. Methods 41 cases with spontaneous haemorrhage,11 cases with traumatic haemorrhage, 3 cases with haemorrhage of nasopharyngeal fibroangioma, and 2 case with haemorrhage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were included in the study. Selective angiographic diagnosis and embolization of epistaxis were performed with absorbable gelatin sponge or balloon or spring coil by using Seldinger′s method. Results 59 procedure of angiographic diagnosis and embolization were performed in 57 cases. Both maxillaris internal artery embolization was performed in 6 cases. After embolization, satisfactory results were achieved immediately in 55 cases After 6 months to 2 years′ follow up, no haemorrhage recurred.In 4 cases with traumatic haemorrhage in the face, simple maxillaris internal artery embolization was performed in 2 cases. Conclusion Selective angiographic diagnosis and embolization are safe, effective, and successful method of choices in the treatment of severe epistaxis.