[Role of super selective arteriography with embolization in the treatment of severe epistaxis: our experience apropos of 16 cases].

Diagnostic angiography and super selective embolization of the internal maxillary artery were performed on 16 cases between 1990 and 1995. The patients (mean age, 49 years) were treated for severe posterior epistaxis, refractory to local haemostatic therapy (nasal packing alone for the most of them), hypertension was found to be the most frequent predisposing factor, 13 patients had their nose bleeding stopped. Among the 3 failures, were 2 cases of Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, which were subsequently significatively improved by this method. We conclude that angiography with super selective embolization is considered as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic option in the management of patients with severe epistaxis.