KAU Rabigh Medical School

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

Tutorial 7

EpistaxisBy Razan A. Basonbul, MBBS

EpidemiologyEpistaxis is the most common bleeding

disorder of the head and neck. It is estimated to occur in about 60% of the

population. Most cases require no medical intervention.The majority of cases occur in children <10

and adults >50 years old.More common in Males than Females.

Anatomy Blood Supply of the nose is through branches of both :

Internal Carotid Artery. External carotid Artery .

Epistaxis based on the location of bleeding is described as Anterior. Posterior.

About 90% of cases occur in the region of the Kiesselbach’s plexus ( Little’s area) along the anterior septum.

It is Susceptible to bleeding due to fragile mucosa and tight adherence to underlying mucosa affording little resistance to mechanical stress.

The usual location of posterior bleeding is the Woodruff’s plexus on the lateral wall posterior to inferior/ middle turbinate.

Little’s area ( Kiesselbach’s plexus)• Most common site of bleeding (90%)• Contributing arteries:

1. IC Ophthalmic Anterior ethmoid2. EC Facial Superior Labial3. EC Maxillary Desending palatine

Greater palatine4. EC Maxillary Sphenopalatine ( terminal

branches)

Etiology 80% idiopathicLocal:

Trauma/nose picking Dry nasal mucosa/ Irritants Tumors Medications (nasal steroids) Foreign body Allergic rhinitis/sinusitis

Systemic:

Osler-weber-rendu Disease Coagulopathies Hemophilia Thrombocytopenia Medications

(anticoagulants/antihistamines/antihypertensives/anti-inflammatories)

Hypertension / Aspirin! Systemic infection Recreational drugs Alcohol smoking

Evaluation Initial AssessmentHistoryExamination InvestigationManagement

Initial Assessment ABCs ( Airway, Breathing, IV access) Pulse Oxymetry placed prior to the physical exam

and record vitals. Unstable patients should have Intravenous (IV)

catheters and fluids started. Ask the patient to blow the nose to allow clots to

move out decreasing the bleeding. Sit up the patient with body tilted forward to

prevent blood from going down the pharynx. Apply continuous pressure to anterior cartilaginous

portion the nose for 5-10 min. If stable take a quick history.

HistoryMake Sure the patient is

stable !Duration of current episode,Amount of bleeding,Location of bleeding, Intermittent VS continuous,recent trauma,prior history and treatment, chronic medical conditions (

Hypertension, Liver or

Kidney Disease, on regular oxygen and ventilators),

known bleeding disorders, Medications,recent illnesses, recreational drug use, prior surgeries, herbal medicines,

Examination Instruments necessary:

nasal speculum, light source, suction, and irrigator.

Inspect the turbinates and septum to identify the general condition of the mucosa and location of bleeding.

Examine Oropharynx for clots ( risk of aspiration)

Nasal Endoscopy for chronic, recurrent epistaxis without obvious bleeding source.

Systemic examination for other causes including Neck exam and signs of bruises.

InvestigationsFor:

Patients with significant bleeding, known liver or renal disease, or on anticoagulation therapy.

Do: complete blood count (CBC), Type and cross match, Prothrombin (PT)/partial thromboplastin time (PTT)/ bleeding

time , Liver function tests and Creatinine.

Patients with recurrent, unexplained epistaxis should be evaluated for a hereditary bleeding disorder. The most common one associated with epistaxis is von Willebrand factor (vWF).

ManagementCorrect hypovolemia ( 3:1 role: for every loss

of 100ml blood replace by 300ml crystalloid fluid)

If hypertensive control with antihypertensive carefully.

If known bleeding disorder, replace by appropriate blood component.

Apply vasoconstrictive ( Phenylephrine, oxymetazoline [ Afrin ] ) and if necessary, Local anesthetic agents ( Lidocaine ) either directly or on a nasal pledge.

If minor Bleeding and stopped afterwards, Chemichal Cauterization ( silver nitrate) can be used for localized bleeding.

Topical hemostatic agents as Gelfoam, surgicel, floseal can be placed that provides procoagulant effect after cauterization attempts. ( nasal spray is needed for several days to allow resorption).

If bleeding is still active, Nasal Packing is preformed.

Anterior Nasal Packing: Nasal Tampons and extendable sponges;

provide pressure against nasal mucosa Vaseline Strep-Gauze; placed to posterior

choanae, controls most posterior bleeds, Placed for 3-5 days, provided with anti- staphylococcal antibiotics.

Posterior Nasal Packing: Foley catheter, pneumatic nasal catheter or

posterior packing is placed. Nasal Balloons; ( 2 balloons one in nasopharynx

and other in nasal cavity) is advisable

Packing of both sides or posterior packing is an indication for Hospital admission!!

If bleeding persists;1. Posterior packing.2. Endoscopic cautery.3. Endoscopic clipping of the sphenopalatine artery.4. Transantral ligation of internal maxillary artery.5. Angiograpgy with embolization.

In Summery: Squeeze - Look & Cauterize - Anterior Pack - Balloon - Posterior pack - Surgery or Embolization.

Typical contents of an epistaxis tray. Top row: nasal decongestant sprays and local anesthetic, silver nitrate cautery sticks, bayonet forceps, nasal speculum, Frazier suction tip, posterior double balloon system and syringe for balloon inflation. Bottom row: Packing materials, including nonadherent gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly and 3 percent bismuth tribromophenate (Xeroform), Merocel, Gelfoam, and suction cautery.

Anterior Nasal packing

Posterior Nasal Packing

Nasal Balloon Packing

ComplicationsComplications may occur as a result of any treatment intervention and include:

Infection (localized or spread into surrounding tissues),

Abscess formation, Septal Necrosis, Septal hematoma, Septal perforation.

Questions ?

Take Home MessagesMost common (90%) site of bleeding is Anterior

bleeds from Little’s area ( Kiesselbach’s plexus)Most common cause of epistaxis in children is

nasal picking (trauma) and dry mucosa and viral URTIs with frequent nose blowing.

Systemic illness and medications are important causes of nose bleeding in Adults.

Check ABCs and Stabilize the patient first!“Blow your nose”, “Sit up and tilt forward” and

apply CONTINOUS pressure for 5-10 min.

Tips to prevent a nosebleed: Keep the lining of the nose moist by gently applying

a light coating of petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment with a cotton swab three times daily, including at bedtime.

Keep children’s fingernails short to discourage nose-picking.

Counteract the effects of dry air by using a humidifier.

Use a saline nasal spray to moisten dry nasal membranes.

Quit smoking. Smoking dries out the nose and irritates it.

Tips to prevent rebleeding after initial bleeding has stopped: Do not pick or blow nose. Do not strain or bend down to lift anything heavy. Keep head higher than the heart.

Admit the person to hospital if: Epistaxis continues despite efforts to stop the

bleeding. Bleeding from the posterior area of the nose is

suspected. A nasal pack has been inserted in primary care.

Consider admission to hospital if the person is elderly or has a comorbid condition (such as coronary artery disease, severe hypertension, clotting disorder, or significant anemia).

Consider referral to ORL specialist if the person has recurrent episodes and is at high risk of having a serious underlying cause,

Use clinical judgment and consider referral in the following groups:

Males 12–20 years of age — angiofibroma is possible (but rare).

People with any symptoms suggestive of cancer — such as nasal obstruction, facial pain, hearing loss, eye symptoms (proptosis or double vision), or palpable neck glands.

People with a family history of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia and suggestive features upon examination — telangiectasia on the lips, mucous membranes, and fingers.

People with occupational exposure to wood dust or chemicals as they are prone to nasopharyngeal cancer.

Thank you References:

Books: Primary care otolaryngology. Taylor’s Manual of family Medicine. Otolaryngology head and neck surgery by Raza Pasha,MD

Websites: http://www.entnet.org/EducationAndResearch/cool.cfm http://www.cks.nhs.uk/epistaxis/management/scenario_recu

rrent_epistaxis/referral