Inadvertent intracerebral insertion of a nasal haemostatic probe.

We report a case of inadvertent intracerebral introduction of a haemostatic device (Brighton tube) inserted into a nasal cavity for control of epistax is in a patient with major craniofacial trauma. This complication remained unrecognized in the unconscious patient until the subsequent CT-scan contro l. In unconscious patients with a major facial trauma, intranasal haemostat ic probes should be inserted under direct visual control by a ENT specialis t and their position checked by digital palpation of the inflated cuffs beh ind the soft palate. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.