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Epistaxis is an extremely common condition in the United States with an incidence estimated at 10 per 10,000 people per year.1 It is a common reason for patient visits to the Emergency Department. There is an early peak in those less than 10 years of age.2 The frequency of epistaxis decreases in the teens and begins to progressively increase after 20 years of age, with the highest frequency in the elderly.2 Epistaxis usually is the result of well-localized intranasal trauma. However, it may be the initial sign of a more serious underlying systemic illness. Epistaxis is often self-limited and can be managed conservatively. Epistaxis can also manifest itself as a profuse spontaneous hemorrhage that is extremely difficult to control and result in aspiration, hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, syncope, and airway compromise.
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The proper management of epistaxis and the prevention of adverse consequences depend on a timely and thorough evaluation of the patient as well as the appropriate intervention. The Emergency Physician must be familiar with a variety of techniques to control intranasal hemorrhage.
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An understanding of the vascular anatomy of the nasal cavity is essential to efficient and immediate control of nasal bleeding. The blood supply to the sinonasal cavity arises from both the internal and external carotid artery system (Figure 172-1). The sphenopalatine artery arises as one of the terminal branches of the internal maxillary artery, a branch of the external carotid system, and is the primary blood supply to the sinonasal cavities. The anterior and posterior ethmoid arteries, terminal branches of the internal carotid system, supply blood to the superior straits of the nose. The superior labial branch of the facial artery supplies the anterior nasal cavity and anastomoses with branches from the anterior ethmoid artery and the sphenopalatine artery in an area of the anterior nasal septum known as Kiesselbach's plexus or Little's area (Figure 172-2). It has been estimated that 90% of all nasal bleeding occurs in the area of Kiesselbach's plexus.3 This is particularly true for children and young adults. Older adults tend to bleed from the posterior nasal cavity, from branches of the sphenopalatine and posterior ethmoidal arteries. This has been attributed to arteriosclerosis.3
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Epistaxis may result from numerous local and/or systemic factors that damage the delicate mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and expose the underlying vasculature. The most common cause of epistaxis is accidental or self-inflicted trauma, often from digital manipulation of the nasal mucosa (i.e., nose picking). This eventually heals and crusts over but is subject to repeated irritation and bleeding ...