Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Yr 3 - Core Conditions > ENT - Nose > Flashcards

ENT - Nose Flashcards

1
Q

Where do nosebleeds (epistaxis) most commonly originate from?

A

Kiesselbach’s plexus (also known as Little’s area)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Anterior vs posterior nose bleed? Which is most common?

A

Anterior:

  • Most common
  • Nosebleeds originate toward the front of the nose and cause blood to flow out through the nostrils

Posterior:

  • Posterior nosebleeds originate toward the back of the nasal passage, near the throat
  • More serious
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a primary nosebleed?

A

Majority of bleeds, no clear and obvious cause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a 2ary nosebleed?

A

When there is a clearly identifiable factor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Give some factors causing a 2ary nosebleed

A
  • Alcohol
  • Antiplatelet agents (e.g. clopidogrel)
  • Aspirin and NSAIDs
  • Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin)
  • Coagulopathy (e.g. haemophilia, von WiIlebrand’s disease)
  • Trauma (e.g. nasal fracture)
  • Tumours
  • Surgery
  • Septal perforation
  • Intranasal drugs (e.g. decongestants, steroids, illicit drugs)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Management of a serious nosebleed?

A
  • ABCDE resuscitation approach
  • Identify site of bleed.
  • 1) Direct compression of nasal alae (cartilaginous part)
    • Most anterior bleeds resolve after 10-15 minutes of compression
    • Sit patient up and lean them forwards – minimise blood entering oral cavity and pharynx
  • 2) Nasal cautery
    • Chemical (silver nitrate) or electrical (thermal)
  • 3) Nasal packing (if cautery fails or severe bleeding)
    • Nasal tampons, inflatable packs, ribbon gauze impregnated with Vaseline)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is next management step if direct compression of nasal alae in a nosebleed does not work?

A

Nasal cautery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is next management step if direct compression of nasal cautery in a nosebleed does not work?

A

Nasal packing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Complications of severe epistaxis?

A
  • Hypovolaemic shock
  • Aspiration
  • Intranasal adhesions
  • Mucosal damage from excessive cautery
  • Infected nasal packing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Nasal trauma can result in a septal haematoma. What is this?

A

Bleeding under the perichondrium lining the septal cartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the danger of a septal haematoma?

A
  • As the septal cartilage receives blood supply from the overlying mucosa, the haematoma can disrupt blood flow
  • Damage to septal cartilage can occur within 24 hours and if untreated → irreversible septal perforation and necrosis, saddle nose deformity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

A septal haematoma can lead to which nose deformity?

A

Saddle nose deformity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

3 major complications of nasal trauma?

A
  1. Septal haematoma
  2. Nasal obstruction e.g. due to septal deviation
  3. Epistaxis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which investigation can be used in a septal haematoma?

A

Anterior rhinoscopy → will show bilateral cherry-red swelling arising from the nasal septum (septal haematoma)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Management of a septal haematoma?

A
  • ENT referral for emergency incision and drainage
  • Emergency incision & drainage → prevents life-threatening infective complications and severe cosmetic nasal deformity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does nasal blockage involve?

A

Encompasses nasal obstruction and nasal congestion.

17
Q

Causes of nasal blockage?

A
  • Viral infection (influenza, rhinovirus)
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Rhinosinusitis
  • Nasal polyps
  • Septal haematoma
  • Tumours
18
Q

Foreign bodies in the nose are most commonly seen in which patient population?

A
  • Most common in young children
  • Higher prevalence among young children with ADHD and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders
19
Q

Organic vs inorganic foreign bodies that can get stuck in the nose?

A
  • Organic – food, bugs
  • Inorganic – nails, paper, stones etc
20
Q

Do organic or inorganic foreign objects tend to cause more symptoms when stuck in the nose?

A

Organic

21
Q

Symptoms of organic foreign body in the nose?

A
  • Can cause local inflammatory reactions and 2ary infection e.g. sinusitis
  • Unilateral purulent and foul-smelling discharge
  • Nasal obstruction
  • Facial pain from sinusitis
22
Q

Symptoms of inorganic foreign body in the nose?

A

Tend to be asymptomatic unless large enough to cause nasal obstruction

23
Q

Which foreign body requires emergency removal if stuck in the nose?

A

Button batteries

24
Q

Why do button batteries require emergency removal if ingested/lodged in the nose?

A

Button batteries require emergency removal as they can cause tissue necrosis through electrolysis at the negative battery pole.

If up nose:

  • Can cause septal perforation
  • Purulent discharge
  • Epistaxis
  • Tissue necrosis, black discharge, facial swelling and pain, fever
25
Q

What is rhinosinusitis?

A

Inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses with greater than 2 symptoms; one of which must be nasal congestion and nasal discharge. Other symptoms can be facial pain or heaviness and reduction of olfaction. Can be acute of chronic (>12 weeks).

26
Q

Most common organism causing rhinosinusitis?

A
  • Streptococcus pneumonia (most common)
  • Haemophilus influenzae
27
Q

What does rhinosinusitis typically follow?

A

Typically follows common cold.

28
Q

Symptoms of rhinosinusitis?

A
  • Pain
  • Nasal congestion/obstruction
  • Nasal discharge
29
Q

What should you always check in a patient presenting with rhinosinusitis?

A

The eyes !

30
Q

Ophthalmologic complications of rhinosinusitis?

A
  • Preseptal cellulitis
  • Orbital cellulitis
  • Subperiosteal abscess (Pott’s puffy tumour)
  • Orbital abscess
  • Cavernous sinus thrombosis
31
Q

Other complications of rhinosinusitis?

A
  • Persistent infection
  • Intracranial involvement: meningitis and encephalitis
  • Mucoceles
  • Osteomyelitis
32
Q

Pharmacological management of rhinosinusitis?

A
  • Nasal corticosteroids
  • Saline nasal irrigation
33
Q

What is the most common cause of hereditary nose bleeds?

A

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)

Yr 3 - Core Conditions (33 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions