Aetiology and Management of Epistaxis - A Prospective Clinical Study

Objective : Epistaxis is a common clinical problem and is an uncomfortable experience that can cause great apprehension and anxiety in patients. Most nose bleed are benign, spontaneous and self-limiting. Epistaxis can range from minor bleed to profuse bleed that can be life threatening and warrant urgent medical attention. By this means it becomes necessary to study aetiology, age and sex incidence, seasonal variation, site and management of epistaxis.

Methods : This prospective study was carried out in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida from January 2013 to June 2014. The study subjects included 100 patients who presented with epistaxis during the period under study.

Results : The mean age of patients were 30.44±19.08 (SD) years and male to female ratio was 3:1. Epistaxis was more common during hot dry months and dry cold winter months. Trauma to the nose caused epistaxis in 35% of case. Neoplasms of nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx were observed to be responsible for epistaxis in 13% of cases. Acute and chronic inflammatory conditions of nose were responsible for epistaxis in 13% of cases. High blood pressure was found in 10% of cases. In 7% of the cases, epistaxis was idiopathic. Anterior bleed was present in 69% of cases while posterior nasal bleed was seen in 34% of cases, in 12% cases site is undetermined.

Conclusion : 79% cases treated successfully with conservative approach while 21% cases required surgical intervention. In this study conservative treatment was found effective in most cases.