[Status of interventional angiography procedures in refractory epistaxis]

In cases of severe bleeding of the nose, besides sufficient packings further steps like surgical exploration and closure of vessels like maxillary or ethmoidal arteries or even the external carotid artery are described in most textbooks. Superselective angiographical embolisation is also mentioned, mostly as an alternative method, while often pointing out the danger of severe thromboembolic complications. In the last two years, we had excellent experiences with this method in 15 cases, without any of the complications mentioned above. We do feel that attempts at superselective angiological embolisation should be made prior to surgical intervention. Of course, technical and personal prerequisites must be adequately met besides excellent individual experience in interventional angiography.