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A natural obturator in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

A Soni-Jaiswal*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
T J Woolford
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss A Soni-Jaiswal, Apt 5, 22 Larke Rise, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2UL, UK. Fax: 01614348051 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

Most patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia suffer with frequent episodes of epistaxis. The aim of this case report is to highlight the effect on epistaxis, occurring in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, when nasal airflow ceases.

Case report:

We present the interesting case of a patient with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia who experienced cessation of her recurrent, refractory epistaxis through the development of coexisting polyp disease. The patient's enlarged, grade three nasal polyps were behaving as physiological obturators, limiting airflow through her nose. This reduced the intranasal trauma and subsequent frequency of her nosebleeds.

Conclusion:

Epistaxis is a debilitating part of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, and poses a frequent management challenge. Our patient was more tolerant of her grade three nasal polyps than of her recurrent epistaxis. This case highlights the importance of reducing nasal airflow when treating patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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