Intraoperative variations of the sphenopalatine artery between epistaxis and non-epistaxis cases: a comparative endoscopic analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Severe epistaxis is one of the most common emergencies in rhinology practices. The commonly used endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA), alone or with the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA), has a high success rate for controlling severe epistaxis. The current study was conducted to evaluate the endoscopic intra-operative variations of SPA between epistaxis and non-epistaxis cases. Forty consecutive patients who underwent exploration of SPA were included in the study. They were distributed into two groups depending upon the indication of SPA exploration; the epistaxis group (group A, n=25 patients, n=26 sides) and the non-epistaxis group (group B, n=15 patients, n=25 sides). Criteria of the main SPA in the two groups were compared regarding four parameters; arterial diameter, arterial adherence to the mucosa of the lower part of the basal lamella, sphenopalatine nerve bundle, and crista ethmoidalis erosion. Results A significant difference was found regarding the diameter of SPA between the two groups; a mean diameter of 4.2±0.64 mm was compared to 3.2±0.35 mm for group A and B, respectively (p =0.043). Moreover, a highly significant tendency was observed regarding the arterial adherence to the mucosa of the lower part of the basal lamella and sphenopalatine nerve bundle in the epistaxis group; (p≤0.01). Conclusion These data clearly signify the importance of intraoperative identification of SPA criteria during surgical management of severe epistaxis. These criteria may help in altering the surgical decision between solely SPA and concomitant SPA/AEA cauterization.

Keywords

• Severe epistaxis
• Sphenopalatine artery
• Endoscopic cauterization
• Anterior ethmoidal artery