Clinical profile of idiopathic epistaxis in a hospital

Epistaxis is a common otolaryngological emergency but most of the cases are idiopathic. This study was done to assess clinical profile in patients with idiopathic epistaxis.

Patients presenting in ENT outpatient department or emergency with epistaxis and no definite cause were selected. Patients demographic data, present and past history was recorded. All patients underwent anterior rhinoscopy and rigid nasal endoscopy.

There were 142 patients with epistaxis without definite cause. Age ranged from 11 to 84 years with mean 32.8 years. Approximately two-third were male. Bleeding from right side was seen in 64 (45.0%) patients. Past history of bleeding was given by 79 (55.6%) patients and out of them 60 (75.9) % had bleeding from same side. Presentation was mostly in months of January to March. Bleeding point was seen in 65 patients. Most of them (37/65) was in Little's area. Deviated nasal septum was seen in 102 patients. More than half of patients with unilateral bleeding were having bleeding from convex side of deviation. Blood pressure was found to be equal or more than 140/90 mm Hg in 55 (38.7%) patients at the time of presentation. Antihypertensive was required in less than half of these patients.

Idiopathic epistaxis is common in male, in winter season and in right side and from nasal septum. Hypertension may be found at presentation but most of them don't need antihypertensive.