ANGIOGRAPHIC EMBOLIZATION FOR EPISTAXIS - A REVIEW OF 114 CASES

Angiography with selective embolization has become an accepted method of treating posterior epistaxis that is not controlled with conservati ve measures. The authors reviewed 112 cases of patients who had receiv ed selective angiographic embolization for refractory epistaxis from J anuary 1990 to December 1995. There were 114 embolizations over this 5 -year period. The immediate success rate was 93%, with long-term succe ss achieved in 88% of patients. The overall complication rate was 17%, with the long-term morbidity rate less than 1%, Selective angiographi c embolization is a safe and effective method that should be considere d in the treatment of refractory epistaxis.