LITERATURE REVIEW

Otorhinolaryngology

doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2024-26-1-99-116
EPIDEMIOLOGY, ETIOPATHOGENESIS, AND HEMOSTASIS PROCEDURES IN RECURRENT EPISTAXIS

O. NEMATZODA1, Z.A. AKHROROVA2, D.D. SULTANOV3, I. UBAYDULLO2

1Republican Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan
2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Republic of Tajikistan
3Department of Surgical Diseases № 2 named after Academician N.U. Usmanov, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Republic of Tajikistan

Objective: To examine the literature on epidemiology, etiology, and treatment strategies for recurrent nosebleeds (RNB, epistaxis)

Methods: Using information portals and platforms, including Elibrary.ru, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane.org, we searched for specific keywords related to epistasis, including nosebleeds, recurrent nosebleeds, etiology, hemostasis methods, epistaxis, recurrent epistaxis, epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment. We analyzed sixty-eight English and Russian scientific papers, excluding RNB articles on blood diseases, cancer, nasal injuries, and post-surgical interventions.

Results: The prevalence rate of RNB remains unknown, with studies focusing on single institutions or regions. Epistasis relapse rates range from 5.9% to 30.5%, varying by cause and treatment methods. Most cases involve anterior epistaxis (90%), while 12.4% to 34.8% experience more severe posterior bleeding. Factors like arterial hypertension (AH), anticoagulant use, and environmental factors contribute to RNB. Severe cases may require hospitalization (6% to 8.2%), with 10.7% facing a third relapse needing vessel ligation or embolization. Around 0.25% to 4.8% of RNB patients may succumb due to complications or excessive bleeding.

Conclusion: Research focused on understanding the reasons and procedures for treating RNB remains essential, as the condition can be life-threatening. Recurrence of epistaxis after different RNB treatments may require more extreme vessel-ligating surgeries. Therefore, improving treatment outcomes by adopting a personalized approach to selecting hemostasis methods and addressing the underlying causes of RNB is crucial.

Keywords: Recurrent epistaxis, etiology, pathogenesis, hemostasis methods, nasal tamponade.

Download file:


References
  1. Tunkel DE, Anne S, Payne SC, Ishman SL, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Nosebleed (Epistaxis) Executive Summary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;162(1):8-25. https://doi. org/10.1177/0194599819889955
  2. Kryukov AI, Plavunov NF, Kadyshev VA, Artemieva-Karelova AV, Tovmasyan AS, Kishinevskiy AE, i dr. Retrospektivniy analiz epidemiologicheskikh pokazateley nosovykh krovotecheniy v mnogoprofil'nykh statsionarakh [Retrospective analysis of epidemiological indicators of epistaxis in general hospitals]. Golova i sheya. 2021;9(2):17-26. https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2021.9.2.17-26
  3. Plavunov NF, Kryukov AI, Kadyshev VA, Sidorov AM, Artemieva-Karelova AV, Kolbanova IG, i dr. Epidemiologiya spontannykh krovotecheniy iz ukha, gorla, nosa [Epidemiology of spontaneous nasal, ear and throat bleedings]. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. 2021;86(4):31-5. https://doi.org/10.17116/otorino20218604131
  4. Carapkin GYu, Kryukov AI, Plavunov NF, Kunelskaya NL, Timofeeva MG, Artemieva-Karelova AV, i dr. Approksimatsionniy analiz v izuchenii epidemiologii nosovykh krovotecheniy [Approximation analysis in the study of the epidemiology of the epistaxis]. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. 2021;86(4):67-72. https:// doi.org/10.17116/otorino20218604167
  5. Kiley V, Stuart JJ, Johnson CA. Coagulation studies in children with isolated recurrent epistaxis. J Pediatr. 1982;100(4):579-81
  6. Bradshaw B, Ulualp SO, Rajaram V, Liu C. Recurrent epistaxis and unilateral intranasal mass in a teenager. Am J Case Rep. 2021;22:e933075. https://doi. org/10.12659/AJCR.933075
  7. Bykova VV, Boyko NV. Privychnye nosovye krovotecheniya, assotsiirovannye s atroficheskim rinitom [Habitual epistaxis, associated with atrophic rhinitis]. Terapevt. 2022;4:57-62. https://doi.org/10.33920/MED-12-2204-07
  8. Yan T, Goldman RD. Recurrent epistaxis in children. Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(6):427-9. https://doi.org/10.46747/cfp.6706427
  9. Boyko NV. Osobennosti lecheniya nosovykh krovotecheniy u bol'nykh s arterial'noy gipertenziey na fone antitromboticheskoy terapii [Eculiarities of the management of epistaxis in hypertensive patients under antitrombotic therapy]. Meditsinskiy vestnik Severnogo Kavkaza. 2021;16(3):293-7. https://doi. org/10.14300/mnnc.2021.16069
  10. Gilyoma JM, Chalya PL. Etiological profile and treatment outcome of epistaxis at a tertiary care hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A prospective review of 104 cases. BMC Ear Nose Throat Disord. 2011;11:8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472- 6815-11-8
  11. Gunina MV, Kadyshev VA, Tsarapkin GYu, Bulychyov SN, Goncharova NA, Voronkova NYu, i dr. Optimizatsiya sposobov i metodov ostanovki nosovogo krovotecheniya v usloviyakh raboty brigad skoroy i neotlozhnoy meditsinskoy pomoshchi [Optimization of methods of epistaxis treatment in the working conditions of ambulance and emergency medical teams]. Rossiyskaya rinologiya. 2023;31(4):287‑91. https://doi.org/0.17116/rosrino202331041287
  12. Baugh TP, Chang CWD. Epidemiology and management of pediatric epistaxis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;159(4):712-6. https://doi. org/10.1177/0194599818785898
  13. Reis LR, Correia F, Castelhano L, Escada P. Epidemiology of epistaxis in the emergency department of a southern European tertiary care hospital. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp (Engl Ed). 2018;69(6):331-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. otorri.2017.11.002
  14. Pallin DJ, Chng YM, McKay MP, Emond JA, Pelletier AJ, Camargo CA Jr. Epidemiology of epistaxis in US emergency departments, 1992 to 2001. Ann Emerg Med. 2005;46(1):77-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.12.014
  15. Sethi RKV, Kozin ED, Abt NB, Bergmark R, Gray ST. Treatment disparities in the management of epistaxis in United States emergency departments. Laryngoscope. 2018;128(2):356-62. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26683
  16. Iseh KR, Muhammad Z. Pattern of epistaxis in Sokoto, Nigeria: A review of 72 cases. Ann Afr Med. 2008;7(3):107-11. https://doi.org/10.4103/1596- 3519.55668
  17. Ajiya A, Adamu A, Shuaibu IY. Clinical and laboratory profile of patients with epistaxis in Kano, Nigeria: A 10-year retrospective review. Niger J Clin Pract. 2020;23(8):1135-40. https://doi.org/10.4103/njcp.njcp_610_19
  18. Carey B, Sheahan P. Aetiological profile and treatment outcomes of epistaxis at a major teaching hospital: A review of 721 cases. Ir J Med Sci. 2018;187(3):761- 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1721-x
  19. Ross A, Engebretsen S, Mahoney R, Bathula S. Risk factors and management for epistaxis in a hospitalized adult sample. Spartan Med Res J. 2022;7(2):37760. https://doi.org/10.51894/001c.37760
  20. ElAlfy MS, Tantawy AAG, Eldin BEMB, Mekawy MA, Mohammad YAE, Ebeid FSE. Epistaxis in a pediatric outpatient clinic: Could it be an alarming sign? Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021;26(2):e183-e190. https://doi. org/10.1055/s-0041-1726040
  21. Polozhishnikova AA. Rasprostranyonnost' nosovykh krovotecheniy u zhiteley g. Rostova-na-Donu [Prevalence of nose bleedings in residents of Rostov-onDon]. Sinergiya nauk. 2019;32:1060-4.
  22. Tsarapkin GYu, Kunelskaya NL, Plavunov NF, Tovmasyan AS, Artemieva-Karelova AV, Ogorodnikov DS, i dr. Komorbidnyy fon i otsenka letal'nosti, svyazannoy s nosovymi krovotecheniyami [Comorbid background and assessment of mortality associated with nosebleeds]. Rossiyskaya rinologiya. 2022;30(1):33-9. https://doi.org/10.17116/rosrino20223001133
  23. Shamsidinov BN, Mukhtarova PR, Olimov TKh, Akhrorova ZA. Etiologicheskie aspekty nosovykh krovotecheniy i al’ternativnye sposoby ikh ostanovki [Etiological aspects of epistaxis and alternative ways to stop it]. Vestnik Avitsenny [Avicenna Bulletin]. 2020;22(1):28-34. https://doi.org/10.25005/2074-0581- 2020-22-1-28-34
  24. McGarry GW. Recurrent epistaxis in children. BMJ Clin Evid. 2013;2013:0311
  25. Qureishi A, Burton MJ. Interventions for recurrent idiopathic epistaxis (nosebleeds) in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(9):CD004461. https:// doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004461.pub3
  26. Loughran S, Spinou E, Clement WA, Cathcart R, Kubba H, Geddes NK. A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of petroleum jelly/Vaseline for recurrent paediatric epistaxis. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29(3):266-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2273.2004.00813.x
  27. Kubba H, MacAndie C, Botma M, Robison J, O'Donnell M, Robertson G, Geddes N. A prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of antiseptic cream for recurrent epistaxis in childhood. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2001;26(6):465- 8. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2273.2001.00502.x
  28. Robertson S, Kubba H. Long-term effectiveness of antiseptic cream for recurrent epistaxis in childhood: Five-year follow up of a randomised, controlled trial. J Laryngol Otol. 2008;122(10):1084-7. https://doi.org/10.1017/ S0022215107001600
  29. Izvin AI. Nosovye krovotecheniya: sovremennye vozmozhnosti kliniko-laboratornoy diagnostiki i lecheniya [Epistaxis: Modern capabilities of clinical and laboratory diagnostics and treatment]. Universitetskaya meditsina Urala. 2016;2(1):50-3.
  30. Boyko NV, Shatokhin YuV. Patogenez nosovykh krovotecheniy u bol'nykh s arterial'noy gipertenziey [Pathogenesis of nasal bleeding in the patients presenting with arterial hypertension]. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. 2015;80(5):41-5. https://doi.org/10.17116/otorino201580541-45
  31. Adoga AA, Kokong DD, Mugu JG, Okwori ET, Yaro JP. Epistaxis: The demographics, etiology, management, and predictors of outcome in Jos, North-Central Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2019;18(2):75-9. https://doi.org/10.4103/aam. aam_24_18
  32. Maina G, Ooi E. A retrospective review of spontaneous epistaxis outcomes for patients on novel oral anticoagulants compared to antiplatelets and warfarin. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022;43(4):103488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103488
  33. Matti E, Maiorano E, Nacu B, Luceri A, Sovardi F, Siragusa V, et al. Silicone septal splint for recurrent epistaxis in HHT patients: Experience of a National referral centre. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2023;43(Suppl. 1):S28-S33. https://doi. org/10.14639/0392-100X-suppl.1-43-2023-03
  34. Neshewat J, Wasserman A, Alexandris-Souphis C, Haymart B, Feldeisen D, Kong X, et al. Reduction in epistaxis and emergency department visits in patients taking warfarin after implementation of an education program. Thromb Res. 2021;199:119-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2021.01.007
  35. Gómez-Hervás J, Merino-Galvez E. Influence of meteorological variables on the frequency of visits and hospital admission for epistaxis in a city with a cold semi-arid climate (Lorca, Spain). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024;281(3):1307- 15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08300-6
  36. Bray D, Giddings CE, Monnery P, Eze N, Lo S, Toma AG. Epistaxis: Are temperature and seasonal variations true factors in incidence? J Laryngol Otol. 2005;119(9):724-6. https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215054798032
  37. Gatsounia A, Schinas G, Danielides G, Athanasopoulos M, Lygeros S. Impact of atmospheric conditions on epistaxis incidence. Cureus. 2023;15(11):e48390. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.48390
  38. Fountarlis AL, Lachanas V, Zacharouli K, Hajiioannou J, Kalogritsas N, Skoulakis C. Sinonasal lobular capillary hemangioma after continuous self-tests for COVID-19: A case report and review of the literature. Medeni Med J. 2022;37(4):339-45. https://doi.org/10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.00533
  39. Kikidis D, Tsioufis K, Papanikolaou V, Zerva K, Hantzakos A. Is epistaxis associated with arterial hypertension? A systematic review of the literature. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2014;271(2):237-43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405- 013-2450-z
  40. Boyko NV. Nosovoe krovotechenie i arterial'naya gipertenziya: patogeneticheskaya svyaz' [Epistaxis and arterial hypertension: A pathogenic link]. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. 2021;86(1):72-7. https://doi.org/10.17116/otorino20218601172
  41. Boyko NV, Letifov GM. Nosovoe krovotechenie kak markyor neblagopriyatnogo techeniya gipertonicheskoy bolezni [Epistaxis as a marker of the unfavorable course of hypertension]. Terapevt. 2021;12:6-14. https://doi.org/10.33920/ MED-12-2112-01
  42. Lee CJ, Seak CJ, Liao PC, Chang CH, Tzen IS, Hou PJ, Lin CC. Evaluation of the relationship between blood pressure control and epistaxis recurrence after achieving effective hemostasis in the emergency department. J Acute Med. 2020;10(1):27-39. https://doi.org/10.6705/j.jacme.202003_10(1).0004
  43. Liao Z, Guo J, Mi J, Liao W, Chen S, Huang Y, et al. Analysis of bleeding site to identify associated risk factors of intractable epistaxis. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2021;17:817-22. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S301706
  44. Mestnikova AZ, Artyushkin SA, Artyushkina VK. Patogeneticheskie aspekty porazheniya nosa u patsientov s khronicheskim virusnym gepatitom C [Pathogenetic aspects of nasal lesions in patients with chronic hepatitis C]. Yakutskiy meditinskiy zhurnal. 2016;1:7-10.
  45. Boyko NV, Bykova VV, Kiselyov VV. Atroficheskiy rinit kak prichina nosovykh krovotecheniy [Atrophic rhinitisas a cause of nasal bleeding]. Klinicheskaya bol'nica. 2018;1:9-11.
  46. Haffajee MR, Naidoo S. Giant intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm with fatal epistaxis. Clin Anat. 2003;16(3):277-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/ ca.10127
  47. Liang W, Xiaofeng Y, Weiguo L, Wusi Q, Gang S, Xuesheng Z. Traumatic carotid cavernous fistula accompanying basilar skull fracture: A study on the incidence of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula in the patients with basilar skull fracture and the prognostic analysis about traumatic carotid cavernous fistula. J Trauma. 2007;63(5):1014-20. https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e318154c9fb
  48. Boyko NV, Batueva VA. Nosovoe krovotechenie iz posttravmaticheskoy anevrizmy vnutrenney sonnoy arterii [Epistaxis from posttraumatic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery]. Rossiyskaya rinologiya. 2016;24(2):30-4. https:// doi.org/10.17116/rosrino201624130-34
  49. Send T, Bertlich M, Horlbeck F, Schafigh D, Freytag S, Eichhorn KW, et al. Management and outcome of epistaxis under direct oral anticoagulants: A comparison with warfarin. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(1):120-4. https://doi. org/10.1002/alr.22210
  50. Yaniv D, Zavdy O, Sapir E, Levi L, Soudry E. The impact of traditional anticoagulants, novel anticoagulants, and antiplatelets on epistaxis. Laryngoscope. 2021;131(9):1946-51. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.29417
  51. Srinivasan V, Patel H, John DG, Worsley A. Warfarin and epistaxis: Should warfarin always be discontinued? Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1997;22(6):542-4.
  52. Zhaburina MV, Sultanov IS. Tyazhyoloe nosovoe krovotechenie na fone priyoma varfarina [Severe nosebleeding when taking warfarin]. Enigma. 2021;34- 2:60-2.
  53. Meccariello G, Georgalas C, Montevecchi F, Cammaroto G, Gobbi R, Firinu E, et al. Management of idiopathic epistaxis in adults: What's new? Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2019;39(4):211-9. https://doi.org/10.14639/0392-100X-2155
  54. Gornostalev NYA, Shilenkov KA. Metod ostanovki nosovogo krovotecheniya s pomoshch'yu ballonnoy tamponady [Method balloon tampon for stopping nasal bleeding]. Rossiyskaya otorinolaringologiya. 2013;1:59-61.
  55. Kartel AA, Dolina IV, Butsel ACh, Samson AA. Nosovye krovotecheniya: metody mestnogo gemostaza [Nasal hemorrhage: Methods of local hemostasis]. Meditsina neotlozhnykh sostoyaniy. 2013;2:174-6
  56. Polunin MM. Vozmozhnosti terapii retsidiviruyushchikh nosovykh krovotecheniy u detey [Possibilities of therapy of recurrent nosebleeds in children]. Praktika pediatra. 2023;3:46-9.
  57. Koçak HE, Bilece ZT, Keskin M, Ulusoy HA, Koç AK, Kaya KH. Comparison of topical treatment methods used in recurrent anterior epistaxis: A randomized clinical trial. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2021;87(2):132-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. bjorl.2019.07.002
  58. Beck R, Sorge M, Schneider A, Dietz A. Current approaches to epistaxis treatment in primary and secondary care. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(1-02):12-22. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2018.0012
  59. Boyko NV, Letifov GM, Kurbatova NV. Chastota bakterial'noy kolonizatsii polosti nosa u detey s retsidiviruyushchimi nosovymi krovotecheniyami [Incidence of nasal bacterial colonization in children with recurrent epistaxis]. Pediatriya. Vostochnaya Evropa. 2023;11(2):241-7. https://doi.org/10.34883/ PI.2023.11.2.008
  60. Izvin AI, Rudzevich AV, Khatskelevich DM. Retsidiviruyushchee nosovoe krovotechenie na fone bolezni Randu-Osler, vyzvavshee neobkhodimost' perevyazki naruzhnykh sonnykh arteriy s obeikh storon [Recurrent epistaxis associated with randu-osler disease, requiring ligation of the external carotid arteries on both sides]. Vestnik otorinolaringologii. 2022;87(2):80-3. https://doi. org/10.17116/otorino20228702180
  61. El Naamani K, Morse C, Ghanem M, Barbera J, Amllay A, Severance G, et al. Endovascular embolization for epistaxis: A single center experience and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(22):6958. https://doi.org/10.3390/ jcm12226958
  62. Pop SS, Tiple C, Stamate MC, Chirila M. Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization in the management of recurrent posterior epistaxis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(6):1128. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59061128
  63. Kitamura T, Takenaka Y, Takeda K, Oya R, Ashida N, Shimizu K, et al. Sphenopalatine artery surgery for refractory idiopathic epistaxis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(8):1731-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/ lary.27767
  64. İsmi O, Vayisoğlu Y, Özcan C, Görür K, Ünal M. Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation in posterior epistaxis: Retrospective analysis of 30 patients. Turk Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;54(2):47-52. https://doi.org/10.5152/tao.2016.1713
  65. Chitsuthipakorn W, Seresirikachorn K, Kanjanawasee D, Snidvongs K. Endoscopic sphenopalatine foramen cauterization is an effective treatment modification of endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation for intractable posterior epistaxis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;277(9):2463-7. https://doi. org/10.1007/s00405-020-06005-8
  66. Koskinas I, Terzis T, Georgalas C, Chatzikas G, Moireas G, Chrysovergis A, et al. Posterior epistaxis management: Review of the literature and proposed guidelines of the Hellenic Rhinological-Facial Plastic Surgery Society. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08310-4
  67. Dedhia RC, Desai SS, Smith KJ, Lee S, Schaitkin BM, Snyderman CH, et al. Cost-effectiveness of endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation versus nasal packing as first-line treatment for posterior epistaxis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013;3(7):563-6. https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.21137
  68. Rudmik L, Leung R. Cost-effectiveness analysis of endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation vs arterial embolization for intractable epistaxis. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;140(9):802-8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2014.1450

Authors' information:


Nematzoda Okildzhon
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Republican Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery
Researcher ID: F-8729-2018
Scopus ID: 56469644700
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7602-7611
SPIN: 2408-9107
Author ID: 929575
E-mail: sadriev_o_n@mail.ru

Akhrorova Zarina Asrorovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3790-0750
E-mail: zara_lor@mail.ru

Sultanov Dzhavli Davronovich
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Full Professor, Professor of the Department of Surgical Diseases № 2 named after Academician N.U. Usmanov, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
Researcher ID: AAC-7784-2019
Scopus ID: 36922139600
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7935-7763
SPIN: 9762-8395
Author ID: 445360
E-mail: sultanov57@mail.ru

Ismoili Ubaydullo
Postgraduate Student of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
ORCID ID: 0009-0006-5223-5954
E-mail: ismoili.ubayullo.94@mail.ru

Information about support in the form of grants, equipment, medications

The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:


Nematzoda Okildzhon
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Republican Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery

734003, Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Sanoi str., 33

Tel.: +992 (915) 250055

E-mail: sadriev_o_n@mail.ru

Materials on the topic: