Incidence of Epistaxis in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

Epistaxis is defined as bleeding from the nasal cavity. It is a very common Otorhinolaryngological problem that often presents as an emergency to the outpatient departments of most hospitals worldwide. Its true incidence is often very difficult to assess. This study was aimed at analyzing aetiology, treatment and management outcome of patients who presented with epistaxis at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. This is a three year retrospective study (Jan2007-Dec 2010). All cases of epistaxis that presented at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic at KATH) or referred from the polyclinics and the district hospitals were included. A total number of 96 cases were seen with epistaxis over a period of three years. There were 63 (66%) males and 33 (34%) females. Their ages ranged from 1-80 years. The commonest cause of epistaxis was idiopathic with 51 (53%) cases followed by nasal trauma with 11 (11.5%) cases and nasopharyngeal carcinoma 8 (8.3).This study supports the clinical usefulness of conservative management in the treatment of patients with epistaxis.