Epistaxis; Evaluation parameters of the etiology and management in Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Epistaxis is one of the common problems in Otolaryngology and it forms a burden on the patient.Study design: Randomized prospective study.Objective: To evaluate the percentage of etiological causes of epistaxis and the efficacy of methods of treatment. Patients & Methods: One hundred and twenty patients involved suffering from epistaxis, who had consulted the otolaryngology department at Al Yarmouk teaching hospital, for the period from December 2011 to December 2012. All patients were seen either at the outpatient department or at the reception room of the ENT ward were full history and examination had been done.Results: 43.3% of patients presented with active bleeding and 56.6% with inactive bleeding.Regarding etiology, idiopathic cause found to be the most frequent followed by traumatic and inflammatory. 75.83% were anterior epistaxis, while the posterior epistaxis was 24.16%, higher frequency of anterior bleeding found in patients with age <40 years, while the higher frequency of posterior bleeding found in patients with age >40 years. The most common way of treatment was the direct therapy followed by the indirect and surgical therapies. Conclusion: Epistaxis is one of the commonest ENT emergencies; most common etiology was idiopathic or related to secondary causes. Most of patients have anterior epistaxis and can be treated with conservative measures and only few patients needed a surgical intervention