Super-Selective Intraarterial Embolization for Severe Nasal Hemorrhage

Abstract

Six patients with intractable epistaxis from the posterior nasal cavity which could not be controlled by conventional packing method are reported. The four men and two wemen were 54 to 75 years of age (mean, 64 years). The site of bleeding was confirmed by angiography by Seldinger's procedure through the femoral artery at the groin or a cut-down approach through the superficial temporal artery. The maxillary artery, which was suspected to be the site of bleeding, was successfully embolized with small pieces of Gelfoame and a few coils. No further epistaxis or complications of the embolism occurred. Super-selective intraarterial embolization is a new and effective therapy for intractable severe epistaxis.