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. 2021 Feb;119(1):s48-s53.
doi: 10.5546/aap.2021.s48.

[Consensus on pediatrics epistaxis: Causes, clinic and treatment]

[Article in Spanish]
Collaborators, Affiliations
Free article

[Consensus on pediatrics epistaxis: Causes, clinic and treatment]

[Article in Spanish]
Grupo de Trabajo de Otorrinolaringología Pediátrica et al. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2021 Feb.
Free article

Abstract

Epistaxis is defined as bleeding from the vestibule, nasal cavity or nasopharynx. It represents 3 % of Emergency Room consultations. Thirty per cent of children under 5 years of age have an episode of epistaxis. The average age of presentation is between 7.5 and 8.5 years. It predominates in males (56-67 %). Nasal obstruction (nasal discharge) is the most associated symptom (46 %). The origin can be anterior or posterior, with the previous ones being the most frequent. An integral approach is necessary to determine the etiology (primary or secondary). The main purposes of the treatment are bleeding control and the underlying cause and the prevention of recurrence. Most hemorrhages are self-limiting; however, nasal tamponade and cauterization are required in cases of recurrence and/or severity. When these techniques fail, endoscopic management, angiography-embolization, and open surgical ligation may be used.

Se define la epistaxis como el sangrado proveniente del vestíbulo, la cavidad nasal o la nasofaringe. Representa el 3 % de las consultas de guardia. El 30 % de los niños menores de 5 años presentan, al menos, un episodio de epistaxis. La edad media de presentación es entre los 7,5 y los 8,5 años. Predomina en el sexo masculino (el 56-67 %). La rinorrea es el síntoma más frecuentemente asociado (el 46 %). El origen puede ser anterior o posterior, y las anteriores son las más frecuentes. Es necesario un enfoque integral para determinar la etiología (primaria o secundaria). Los principales objetivos del tratamiento son el control de la hemorragia, de la causa subyacente y la prevención de la recurrencia. La mayoría de las hemorragias son autolimitadas; sin embargo, el taponamiento nasal y la cauterización son requeridos ante casos recurrentes o graves. Cuando estas técnicas fracasan, puede utilizarse un manejo endoscópico, angiografía-embolización y ligadura quirúrgica abierta.

Keywords: cautery; child; epistaxis; recurrence.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

References

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