Premium
Hard Palate Necrosis After Bilateral Internal Maxillary Artery Embolization for Epistaxis
Author(s) -
Guss Joel,
Cohen Marc A.,
Mirza Natasha
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e318093ee8d
Subject(s) - medicine , embolization , maxillary artery , surgery , necrosis
Superselective embolization is an effective method of treating epistaxis that is refractory to conservative treatment. Soft tissue necrosis is a rare complication owing to the extensive collateral blood supply of the head and neck. We describe the case of a patient who developed unilateral necrosis of the mucosa overlying the hard palate after undergoing bilateral internal maxillary artery embolization. The presence of a nasopharyngeal balloon and bilateral nasal packs for 2 days after embolization may have compressed collateral vessels in the soft palate and nose and contributed to this complication. Packing should be removed as soon as possible after embolization.