Epistaxis diagnostic study of choice

NOTOC

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: José Eduardo Riceto Loyola Junior, M.D.[2]

Overview

The diagnostic study of choice to find the source of epistaxis is rhinoscopy. In patients which rhinoscopy is not efficient to find the source vessel of bleeding, internal carotid artery (ICA) angiography is the most efficient action to find the bleeding site.

Gold standard study of choice:

There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of epistaxis, but epistaxis source can be diagnosed based on physical exam, clinical history, rhinoscopy and angiography.
If there is a need of a diagnostic study to find the source of epistaxis it is rhinoscopy.
In patients which rhinoscopy is not efficient to find vessel which bleeding, internal carotid artery (ICA) angiography is the most efficient action to find the bleeding site.
In posterior epistaxis, posterior rhinoscopy is needed to find the source of bleeding.