Epistaxis
(Nose Bleeds)

Epistaxis, more commonly known as nose bleeds, are experienced by most people at some point in their life, and are typically very easily managed by conservative measures such as pinching the nose or packing the nostril with a tissue.

However, in some situations the bleeding is severe enough that simple measures don’t work, prompting a visit to the emergency room. In these cases, ED doctors or ENT doctors can stop the nose bleeding through nasal packing with gauze or a balloon, or cauterization which is where the site of bleeding is sealed through heat or a chemical substance.

In the rare situations where the bleeding is still not controlled, your doctor may refer you to an expert in Neuroendovascular surgery who can then perform an embolization procedure to stop the bleeding. Embolization for epistaxis is a minimally invasive procedure where a catheter is advanced through the arteries (same as cerebral angiography), and then a smaller catheter is advanced into arteries that supply the nose. Through the small catheter, particles or glue like material is injected to block the arteries and stop the nose bleeding.