fatal case of severe epistaxis due to superselective embolization of ipsilateral internal maxillary artery

ABSTRACT

A case of severe epistaxis due to hypertension and arteriosclerosis is reported. After usual methods have failed to stop the bleeding, we embolized, superselectively, the ipsilateral internal maxillary artery by transfemoral catheter. Although epistaxis ceased after embolization but cerebral infarction, hemiplegia and deep coma developed and patient died on the 9th post op. day. Superselective embolization of branches of the external carotid artery in treating severe epistaxis should be used cautiously in patients with aretrisclerosis