Epistaxis

Aka: Epistaxis, Nosebleed, Nasal bleeding

advertisement

II. Pathophysiology

  1. See Nasal Anatomy
  2. Anterior Epistaxis (90%)
    1. Source: Keisselbach's Plexus
  3. Posterior Epistaxis (10%)
    1. Source: Internal Maxillary artery - sphenopalatine branch
    2. More common in elderly

III. Findings: Signs and symptoms

  1. Nasal bleeding
    1. Unilateral or Bilateral nares
    2. Posterior pharynx
    3. Retrograde into lacrimal duct (rarely)
  2. Hypertension
    1. Often labile
    2. Not sustained

IV. Causes

  1. Local (most common)
    1. Trauma
    2. Nose picking
    3. Dry air
    4. Irritants (e.g. Tobacco smoke, repeated Cocaine use)
    5. Topical Medications (e.g. Intranasal Steroids)
    6. Nasal Foreign Body
    7. Forceful nose blowing
    8. Nasal surgery
    9. Intranasal polyp or neoplasm
  2. Systemic causes (uncommon)
    1. Bleeding Disorder
      1. See Bleeding Diathesis (uncommon cause of Epistaxis)
      2. NSAIDs, Aspirin or Anticoagulant use
    2. Hypertension
      1. Rarely causes Epistaxis
      2. Fuchs (2003) Blood Press 12:145-8 [PubMed]

V. Labs

  1. Indications (rare)
    1. Bleeding occurs from multiple sites in nose
    2. Signs of Coagulopathy
  2. Tests
    1. Complete Blood Count with Platelets
    2. Prothrombin Time
    3. Partial Thromboplastin Time

VI. Management: Home

  1. Sit upright and lean forward (avoids aspiration of blood)
  2. Pinch the nose just below the Nasal Bridge for 10-15 minutes
  3. Spray Oxymetazoline or neosynephrine inside nares (2-3 sprays)
  4. Apply cold compress the area around Nasal Bridge
  5. Avoid unhelpful measures
    1. Avoid home Nasal Packing with tissue, gauze or tampon
    2. Avoid ineffective OTC preparations (e.g. Bleedcease, Styptic Pencil)
  6. Indications for Emergency Department evaluation
    1. Epistaxis lasting >30 minute
    2. Persistent Epistaxis due to facial Trauma
    3. Significant Epistaxis (esp. Anticoagulation or antiplatelet use)

VII. Management: Anterior Hemorrhage

  1. Bleeding sites
    1. Kiesselbach's Plexus at septum most common site
    2. Anterior end of inferior turbinate also common
  2. Position patient leaning forward
    1. Keeps blood from collecting posteriorly
    2. Prevents Nausea and airway obstruction
  3. Apply manual pressure for 15-20 minutes
    1. Squeeze anterior nose just below bridge to apply pressure to septal vessels
  4. Apply topical Oxymetazoline (Afrin) or spray
    1. Also used as pretreatment for exam (see below)
    2. Stops bleeding in up to 65% of cases
      1. Krempl (1995) Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 104: 704-6 [PubMed]
  5. Stabilization
    1. Analgesics for pain
    2. Treat Hypertensive Crisis if present
      1. Otherwise Hypertension Management may be deferred until after Epistaxis management
  6. Nasal mucosa pretreatment
    1. Decongest/Vasoconstrict nasal mucosa (Insert with long forceps and leave in for 20 minutes)
      1. Cocaine soaked 2x2 gauze rolled or cotton ball inserted into nose or
      2. Oxymetazoline (Afrin) on cotton pledget, 2x2 gauze or spray or
      3. Lidocaine 2% and Phenylephrine 4% mix 1:1 on cotton pledget inserted into nose or
      4. Lidocaine 2% with Epinephrine atomized with MADD atomizer into nare or
      5. Lidocaine/Epinephrine/Tetracaine (LET solution) on cotton pledget inserted into nose
    2. Local Anesthesia
      1. Topical Lidocaine with Epinephrine via MADD Atomizer (see Decongestant mixes as above)
      2. Topical Cetacaine
      3. Nebulized Lidocaine for 60 seconds inhaled via nose and mouth
        1. Lidocaine 2%, 4cc or
        2. Lidocaine 4%, 2cc in 2cc of Normal Saline
    3. Hemostatic Agents
      1. See Refractory measures below
      2. Apply to mucosa via soaked cotton pledget or Rhinorocket
        1. May mix with Phenylephrine and Lidocaine (see topical agents above)
        2. Leave the cotton pledget or rhinorocket in place for 15 minutes
        3. MADD atomizer may be used as alternative
      3. Topical Thrombin
        1. Used if patient takes Warfarin
      4. Topical Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
        1. Associated with reduced need for Nasal Packing and with shorter emergency department stays
          1. Hosseinialhashemi (2022) Ann Emerg Med 80(3): 182-8 [PubMed]
        2. Effective for Epistaxis in patients on antiplatelet agents
          1. Zahed (2018) Acad Emerg Med 25(3): 261-6 [PubMed]
  7. Exam basics
    1. Use good lighting
    2. Have irrigant and suction (Frazier tip) available
      1. Author uses Neotach Little Sucker to wall suction even in adults (intended for nicu, picu patients)
    3. Use Eye Protection and mask
    4. Remove clot (critical - Hemostasis is impossible without this)
  8. Localize and Cautery with Silver Nitrate
    1. Contraindications
      1. Bleeding source unclear
      2. Anticoagulant use (nasal pack instead, cautery unlikely to be effective)
    2. Apply to localized bleeding source for 30 seconds
      1. Identify the bleeding vessel
      2. Roll the Silver Nitrate end back and forth over the bleeding vessel site
      3. Expect a gray-white area to develop
    3. Avoid repeated cautery
      1. Risk of septal perforation
      2. Do not use on both sides of septum
    4. Silver Nitrate is equivalent to electrocautery
      1. Toner (1990) J Laryngol Otol 104:617-8 [PubMed]
  9. Bleeding continues
    1. See Nasal Packing
    2. Consider Topical Thrombin spray (especially for patients on Warfarin)
    3. Consider topical Tranexamic Acid (experimental)
      1. Tranexamic Acid IV form applied topically to nasal septum via inserted cotton pledgets
      2. Zahed (2013) am j emerg med 31(9): 1389-92 [PubMed]

VIII. Management: Persistent bleeding

  1. See Anterior Nasal Hemorrhage Management
  2. See Posterior Nasal Hemorrhage Management
  3. Known Coagulopathy
    1. Topical Thrombin (if on Warfarin)
    2. Topical Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
    3. Desmopressin Spray (DDAVP)
  4. Intractable Bleeding
    1. Arterial ligation
  5. Recurrent unilateral Epistaxis
    1. Consider otolaryngology evaluation for neoplasm

IX. Prevention

  1. Sneeze with an open mouth (less pressure within intranasal vessels)
  2. Avoid nasal picking or Trauma
  3. Keep nasal mucosa and septum moist
    1. Consider applying petroleum jelly or similar ointment
    2. Consider humidifier during drier months (e.g. winter)
  4. Spray Intranasal Steroids (e.g. Flonase) away from the nasal septum
    1. Use the left hand to spray the right nare
    2. Use the right hand to spray the left nare

X. References

  1. (2021) Presc Lett 28(6): 35
  2. Bright in Herbert (2013) EM:Rap 13(4): 12
  3. Wu in Herbert (2012) EM:Rap 12(11): 10
  4. Kucik (2005) Am Fam Physician 71:305-12 [PubMed]
  5. Schlosser (2009) N Engl J Med 360(8):784-9 [PubMed]
  6. Tan (1999) Med Clin North Am 83:43-56 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Epistaxis." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Ontology: Epistaxis (C0014591)

Definition (MSHCZE) Krvácení z nosu. Má mnoho příčin, často jde jen o nezávažné krvácení při drobných místních poruchách a traumatech, zejm. u dětí. Mimoto však e. může provázet řadu nemocí krevních, ledvinných, těžkou hypertenzi, nádory, infekce aj.. (cit. Velký lékařský slovník online, 2013 http://lekarske.slovniky.cz/ )
Definition (NCI_CTCAE) A disorder characterized by bleeding from the nose.
Definition (NCI) Bleeding from the nose.
Definition (MSH) Bleeding from the nose.
Concepts Pathologic Function (T046)
MSH D004844
ICD9 784.7
ICD10 R04.0
SnomedCT 206993003, 12441001, 158324009, 301192005, 389061006, 139643001, 162374001, 249366005
English Nose Bleed, Nose Bleeds, Nosebleed, NASAL BLEEDING, EPISTAXIS, HAEMORRHAGE NASAL, HEMORRHAGE NASAL, NOSEBLEED, Nose bleed symptom NOS, [D]Epistaxis (context-dependent category), [D]Epistaxis, [D]Nosebleed, Obs of bleeding of nose, nosebleeds, nosebleeds (epistaxis), epistaxis, epistaxis (diagnosis), nosebleeds (symptom), Bleedings, Nasal, Bleeding, Nasal, Nasal Bleedings, Nasal Bleeding, Epistaxis, Nasal bleeding, Bleeding nose, Nose bleeds, Haemorrhage nasal, Hemorrhage nasal, Nasal hemorrhage, Nasal haemorrhage, Hemorrhage from nose, Epistaxis [Disease/Finding], bleeding from nose, bleeding nose, Bleeding;nose, nasal bleed, nasal bleeding, nasal haemorrhage, nose bleeding, bleeds nose symptoms, nosebleed symptom (non-specific), bleeds nose symptom, nasal hemorrhage, nose bleed, Finding of bleeding of nose (finding), [D]Epistaxis (situation), Nasal hemorrhage (disorder), Nosebleed symptom NOS (finding), Nosebleed symptom NOS, Nose bleed, Bleeding from nose, Observation of bleeding of nose, Epistaxis (disorder), Finding of bleeding of nose, Bleeding from nose (finding), Nose bleed/epistaxis, hemorrhage; nose, nose; hemorrhage, nosebleed, Nasal Hemorrhage, bleeding from the nose, Nosebleed symptom NOS (context-dependent category)
French EPISTAXIS, Saignements de nez, Saignement nasal, SAIGNEMENTS DE NEZ, Epistaxis, Épistaxis, Hémorragie nasale, Hémorragie du nez, Saignement de nez
Portuguese EPISTAXE, Hemorragias nasais, Hemorragia nasal, HEMORRAGIA NASAL, Hemorrinia, Epistaxe, Sangramento Nasal
Spanish EPISTAXIS, HEMORRAGIA NASAL, Hemorragia nasal, Sangrado de nariz, Nariz sangrante, Sangrado nasal, Sangrados de nariz, [D]epistaxis (categoría dependiente del contexto), síntoma de hemorragia nasal, SAI (categoría dependiente del contexto), NARIZ, HEMORRAGIA, NARIZ, SANGRADO, síntoma de hemorragia nasal, SAI (hallazgo), síntoma de hemorragia nasal, SAI, hemorragia nasal (trastorno), [D]epistaxis (situación), [D]epistaxis, Nosebleed symptom NOS, epistaxis (trastorno), epistaxis, hemorragia de la nariz, hemorragia nasal, sangrado de la nariz (hallazgo), sangrado de la nariz, sangrado nasal, Epistaxis, Hemorragia Nasal, Sangramiento Nasal
German EPISTAXIS, blutende Nase, Blutung der Nase, Nasenblutungen, BLUTUNG NASE, HAEMORRHAGIE NASAL, NASENBLUTEN, Epistaxis, Nasenbluten, Nasenblutung
Dutch neusbloeding, bloedende neus, Epistaxis/neusbloeding, bloeding; neus, neus; bloeding, bloedneus, Bloeding, neus-, Bloedneus, Epistaxis, Neusbloeding
Swedish Näsblödning
Japanese ﾋﾞｼｭｯｹﾂ, ﾊﾅｼｭｯｹﾂ, 鼻出血, はなぢ, 鼻血
Czech krvácení z nosu, nos - hemoragie, epistaxe, Nazální hemoragie, Epistaxe, Hemoragie nazální, Nazální krvácení, Krvácení z nosu, Krvácet z nosu, Krvácející nos
Finnish Nenäverenvuoto
Italian Sanguinamento nasale, Sanguinamento dal naso, Epistassi
Russian NOSOVOE KROVOTECHENIE, EPISTAKSIS, НОСОВОЕ КРОВОТЕЧЕНИЕ, ЭПИСТАКСИС
Korean 코출혈
Croatian EPISTAKSA
Polish Krwawienie z nosa
Hungarian Orrvérzés, Nasalis vérzés, Epistaxis, Nasalis haemorrhagia, Orrvérzések
Norwegian Neseblod, Epistaksis, Epistaxis, Neseblødning
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Nasal Disease

advertisement

2025 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy | About | Site Map | Newsletter | Blog

Footer Site Logo