The effect of treatment for epistaxis secondary to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
BACKGROUND
Epistaxis is the most common symptom in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Different treatment options have been described but with little reference to their effect on quality of life or disease severity.


METHODS
This study prospectively investigated the effect of nasal closure, argon laser, and a combination of septodermoplasty and argon laser treatments on quality-of-life scores and disease severity ratings in a group of 29 patients with moderate to severe epistaxis referred to a tertiary referral center.


RESULTS
The only group of patients who showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in quality of life were those who underwent nasal closure. In addition, the nasal closure patients were the only group in which there was a complete cessation of bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal closure should be offered to patients with moderate to severe epistaxis secondary to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia that has proved unresponsive to other treatment.
Hitchings
Anne E
AE
Professorial Unit, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Lennox
Penelope A
PA
Lund
Valerie J
VJ
Howard
David J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013683:Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome