Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

A Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: November 21, 2013
The problem with nose bleeds
1Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 7QB, UK. anniedai@fsmail.net
Insights
Paediatric epistaxis, or nosebleeds, can be severe. A rare case involved hypovolaemic shock from a dissecting internal carotid artery aneurysm after an oropharyngeal injury.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Vascular Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Epistaxis is a frequent pediatric emergency, typically minor and self-resolving.
- Severe epistaxis necessitates prompt diagnosis and management to prevent complications.
Observation:
- A child presented with atypical epistaxis and signs of hypovolaemic shock.
- The cause was identified as a dissecting false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery.
Findings:
- The internal carotid artery dissection resulted from an impalement injury to the oropharynx.
- This rare etiology led to life-threatening haemorrhage and hypovolaemic shock.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare vascular causes in pediatric epistaxis with hemodynamic instability.
- Emphasizes the need for advanced imaging and surgical intervention in such critical cases.
- Underscores the potential for delayed recognition of serious internal carotid artery injuries from oropharyngeal trauma.
Abstract:
Epistaxis is common in the paediatric population and is usually minor and self limiting. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of epistaxis with hypovolaemic shock due to a dissecting false aneurysm of the internal carotid artery caused by an impalement injury to the oropharynx.
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