title: [Epistaxis following skull trauma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epistaxis is a common problem, which is usually benign in nature. In some cases, however, epistaxis is a symptom of a severe underlying condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 20-year-old male was treated conservatively following head injury with craniofacial and base-of-skull fractures. Recurrent episodes of epistaxis occurred some weeks after treatment. Further investigation showed an extradural dissecting aneurysm of the left internal carotid artery (ICA), projecting into the sphenoid sinus. The aneurysm was treated endovascularly by placing a coil in the aneurism and a stent in the artery. On the basis of this case study we describe the diagnostics and treatment of patients with posttraumatic posterior epistaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cases if delayed epistaxis following head injury the physician should be alert for the possibility of trauma to the ICA. This is a potentially life-threatening situation that requires prompt treatment.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Universiteit Groningen.
authors.forename: Roland P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Nooij
authors.forename: J M C Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Rob J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Groen
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uyttenboogaart
authors.forename: Omid S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Eshghi
authors.forename: Astrid G W
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kosten-Meijer
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012887:Skull Fractures; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult