ENT: Epistaxis: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Epistaxis🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this common ENT emergency – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Bleeding from the nasal mucosa – can be anterior (most common) or posterior (more severe).📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Dry air or mucosal irritation• Trauma (e.g. nose-picking, facial injury)• Clotting disorders (e.g. ITP, HHT, leukemia)• Juvenile angiofibroma in adolescent males• Hypertension – especially with severe bleeds• Cocaine use, nasal sprays• Anticoagulants (aspirin, warfarin, DOACs)🧠 Mnemonic: THIN AIR = Trauma, Hypertension, Inflammation, Nasal sprays/Addiction, ITP, Angiofibroma, Rendu-Osler-Weber (HHT)📌 Pathophysiology• Fragile vessels rupture (esp. in Little’s area/Kiesselbach’s plexus)• Posterior bleeds = deeper vessels → more profuse bleeding → higher aspiration risk📌 Symptoms• Unilateral or bilateral nasal bleeding• Blood dripping forwards or posteriorly (into throat)• Clots, nasal blockage, mild pain• Dizziness or anaemia in severe cases📌 Differential Diagnosis• Nasal trauma, foreign body• Sinusitis, polyps• Tumours (nasal/nasopharyngeal)• HHT• Juvenile angiofibroma📌 Diagnosis• Clinical exam: locate anterior vs posterior source• FBC, coagulation studies if recurrent/severe• ENT referral: CT sinuses, nasoendoscopy if red flags📌 Management• First aid: pinch soft nose + lean forward for 10–15 mins• Topical antiseptics or silver nitrate cautery• Nasal packing if bleeding persists• ENT referral if packing fails or posterior bleed suspected• Antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin) if packing inserted• Avoid nose blowing, hot drinks, picking post-bleed🚨 Admit if unstable, posterior bleed, or <2 years old📌 Complications• Anaemia from chronic blood loss• Septal perforation (trauma, cocaine, packing)• Infection, aspiration• Rare: airway obstruction or massive haemorrhage📌 Prognosis• Generally excellent with simple measures• Recurrence possible – manage underlying cause📎 More MSRA Resources for Epistaxis📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/epistaxis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/epistaxis-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/epistaxis-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/epistaxis-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/ent-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #Epistaxis #ENTMSRA