Epistaxis: A prospective clinical study

Epistaxis is one of the most common ear, nose and throat (ENT) emergencies to present to general practitioners. Epistaxis may be simple and readily treatable condition but it sometimes led to potential consequences of sever and life-threatening bleeding. 160 patients 88 were males and 72 were females complained from epistaxis who had consulted the Ear, Nose and Throat (E.NT.) department at Al-Sheikhan Hospital for the period from September (2023) to December (2024) were recorded in the study. They were asked in specially-constructed questionnaire about age, sex, history and full general and otolaryngological examination and laboratory and radiological investigation if indicated.

Conclusion The current study concluded that there is a slight male dominance in sex distribution. The secondary causes of epistaxis were slightly commoner than the primary one. The anterior bleeding is the commonest site of epistaxis. Recurrent epistaxis was usually minor, non-life-threatening and often easily managed while acute epistaxis was usually severe. There is a significant relationship between secondary epistaxis and the age of patients. Traumatic factor is the most common local cause, anticoagulant medications are the most common systemic cause. There is a significant relationship of hypertension with the site and the aetiology of epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy is very helpful procedure for better assessment and evaluation of posterior epistaxis.