[Epistaxis in children].
Most epistaxis in children come from the anterior part of the nasal septum. The bleeding is usually under control by manual compression or vestibular packing with a piece of cotton or calcium alginate. In case of severe or recurrent epistaxis, one must look for a bleeding disorder or a nasal/nasopharyngeal tumour, especially juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in adolescent males. Chemical or electrical cautery of the septum should be suggested in case of recurrent idiopathic epistaxis. When bleeding continues despite such treatments, anterior nasal packing is recommended; life-threatening epistaxis usually requires posterior packing. Embolisation can be used to reduce blood supply before surgery in case of haemorragic tumours or vascular malformations.
François
M
M
Service ORL, hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France.
D002425:Cautery; D002648:Child; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000098:blood supply; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence; D013630:Tampons, Surgical