Abstract Objectives: Many methods are included in the treatment of intractable epistaxis includ-
ing selective embolization. We report our experience with 10 patients treated with this technique.
Patients and methods: Ten patients with posterior idiopathic epistaxis were selected in this study.
They were managed by double-balloon device followed by embolization.
Results: Study included six males and four females, their age ranged from 49 to 66 years (mean
56 years). Four patients were hypertensive, two were smokers. Epistaxis was unilateral in six
patients and bilateral in four. Six internal maxillary and eight sphenopalatine arteries were embol-
ized with polyvinyl alcohol 150–250 lm. Bleeding stopped in all patients after procedure. One
patient had recurrent attack 2 months later for whom re-embolization successfully stopped bleed-
ing. No major complications encountered but minor complications occurred in two patients (one
severe headache and one transient left temporofacial pain).
Conclusion: Selective embolization is a clinically effective treatment for severe refractory posterior
epistaxis. By this method we can avoid the complications of repeated packs and surgery especially in
elderly patients. |
