BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is the most common symptom in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). In severely affected cases, cessation of the nasal airflow seems to be the only long-term effective treatment. Such procedure deeply affects patient's quality of life (QoL) and is sometimes refused. METHODS: This study investigated the effectiveness of a tailored silicone nasal swab on 2 patients affected by HHT and severe epistaxis. RESULTS: In both cases, we observed a good clinical effect, with significant reduction of epistaxis and improved QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that the silicone nasal swab can be considered an effective way of treating severe epistaxis in patients with HHT. Its advantages, in terms of maintained airflow patency, reversibility, and improved QoL, are highlighted.
BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is the most common symptom in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). In severely affected cases, cessation of the nasal airflow seems to be the only long-term effective treatment. Such procedure deeply affects patient's quality of life (QoL) and is sometimes refused. METHODS: This study investigated the effectiveness of a tailored silicone nasal swab on 2 patients affected by HHT and severe epistaxis. RESULTS: In both cases, we observed a good clinical effect, with significant reduction of epistaxis and improved QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results indicate that the silicone nasal swab can be considered an effective way of treating severe epistaxis in patients with HHT. Its advantages, in terms of maintained airflow patency, reversibility, and improved QoL, are highlighted.
Authors: Roberto Zarrabeitia; Concepción Fariñas-Álvarez; Miguel Santibáñez; Blanca Señaris; Ana Fontalba; Luisa María Botella; José Antonio Parra Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2017-01-23 Impact factor: 3.186