Acute epistaxis. How to spot the source and stop the flow.

The goals of epistaxis treatment are control of hemorrhage, prevention of cardiovascular and airway compromise, and determination of the cause and the source of bleeding. Distinguishing anterior from posterior epistaxis is important because therapeutic approaches differ. Epistaxis can usually be managed nonsurgically, but a surgical procedure is sometimes necessary. Cauterization, nasal packing, and use of an intranasal tampon or balloon catheter are effective nonsurgical interventions, but they may cause sinusitis, middle ear effusion, patient discomfort, and hypoxia. Surgical interventions include arterial ligation, endoscopic cauterization, and angiographic embolization. These highly effective methods incur the risks of general anesthesia and require technical expertise. A thorough and methodical approach to epistaxis is necessary, with otolaryngologic consultation when appropriate.