Superselective arterial embolization in the treatment of intractable epistaxis

Objective To observe the clinical effect and complications of superselective transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of severe epistaxis.Methods Twenty-two patients with severe epistaxis underwent superselective maxillary artery angiography.When bleeding was confirmed,the arteries were embolized with gelfoam and silk suture.Results Bleeding arteries were found,and the bleeding stopped immediately after embolization in all 22 patients.Central visual field defect developed in the right eye in 1 patient 30 min after embolization,and went better 30 min after vessle dilatation treatment and subcutaneous administration of Heparin Calcium in the umbilicus region.The symptoms disappeared after 3 h.Conclusion Superselective transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective and minimally invasive method with quick patient recovery in the treatment of severe epistaxis and should be considerded as routine treatment and actively employed.