Epistaxis is bleeding from the nose. It most commonly occurs from the front of the septum, and may be aggravated by trauma or dry / cool environments. Bleeding may also occur from areas more posteriorly in the nose, and these sites usually result in more severe bleeding. Epistaxis may be treated with conservative measures such as pressure and ice. It may also be treated with topical medications, such as nasal decongestant sprays applied on cotton. Persistent bleeding may require packing to apply constant pressure to the bleeding site, or cautery to burn and seal the offending blood vessel. Severe cases may require operations to more aggressively cauterize or suture the bleeding vessels. Vascular catheterization and embolization of the vessels may also be performed by an interventional radiologist in the event that standard procedures fail to control the bleeding.
