A blind area of origins of epistaxis: technical or cognitive?

PURPOSE: To investigate common origins and features of anterior epistaxis.

METHODS: Patients (168) with anterior nose bleed were studied from May to October 2013. Endoscopic examination with angled endoscope and then subsequent management (radiofrequency, selective packing,) was performed.

RESULTS: Under thorough nasal endoscopy, anterior nasal bleeding origin was ranked in turn as follows: the anterior nasal septum (NS 83.3%), the small area of anterior lateral wall of nasal cavity corresponding to the nasal back (NB 7.1%), the anterior end of the inferior turbinate (IT 5.4%), and the nasal part of the nasal cavity roof (NR 4.2%). Arterial lesion and hypertension led to large instant quantity of bleeding; hypertension and negligible bleeding origin prolonged bleeding duration. Bleeding was successfully controlled with nasal endoscopy and radiofrequency or selective packing.

CONCLUSIONS: The arterial bleeding small area of anterior lateral wall of nasal cavity corresponding to the nasal back and the nasal part of the nasal cavity roof accounted for more than 10% of anterior epistaxis and a thorough endoscopic examination should include these area with angled endoscope. Then radiofrequency and selective packing will sharply reduce the bleeding duration.