2009年2月19日 星期四

流鼻血...



Epistaxis: Local and Systemic Causes
Local causes contributing to epistaxis include self-induced digital trauma (nose picking), topical nasal drugs including corticosteroids and antihistamines, illicit nasal drug use, dry mucosa, viral or bacterial rhinosinusitis and neoplasms. Systemic conditions associated with epistaxis include genetic disorders such as hemophilia, acquired coagulopathies, anticoagulant medication, or hematologic cancers. Low-dose aspirin appears to increase the risk of epistaxis slightly. Alternative therapies, such as ingestion of garlic, ginkgo, or ginseng may also contribute to mild systemic coagulopathies and epistaxis.

Anterior versus Posterior Bleeding
More than 90% of episodes of epistaxis occur along the anterior nasal septum at a site called Kiesselbach's area. This area receives blood from the terminal branches of the sphenopalatine, ethmoidal, and superior labial arteries. Anterior epistaxis is most often self-limited and does not require medical attention. Pinching the anterior aspect of the nose (not the nasal bones) provides tamponade for the anterior septal vessels and use of topical vasoconstrictors and anesthetics (combination of lidocaine or ponticaine with phenylephrine or oxymetazoline spray) and topical moisturizing ointments can be of value. The patient should relax, tip the head forward or backward, and avoid swallowing or aspirating any blood that may be draining down the posterior pharynx. Packing the nose with absorbable hemostatic materials or chemical (silver nitrate) or electrical cautery is sometimes necessary. Approximately 10% of nosebleeds occur posteriorly, along the nasal septum or lateral nasal wall.

What is the most common type of epistaxis among the elderly, anterior or posterior?
A: Posterior nose bleeds are more common in older patients (mean age 64 years). Anterior nose bleeds, at a site called Kiesselbach's area is the more common type of epistaxis among children. The prevalence of epistaxis in general is increased for children less than 10 years of age and then rises again after the age of 35 years.

How common are coagulopathies in patients hospitalized for epistaxis?
A: Forty-five percent of patients hospitalized for epistaxis have systemic disorders with the potential to contribute to nosebleeds, including genetic disorders such as hemophilia and acquired coagulopathies due to liver or renal disease, use of anticoagulant medication, or hematologic cancers.

---
Source:
New England Journal of Medicine - Vol. 360, No. 8, February 19, 2009

More reading:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050115/305.pdf

沒有留言: