Intranasal topical estrogen in the management of epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Abstract

Conclusion Application of topical estriol ointment is an effective treatment for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) epistaxis.

Objective HHT is an autosomal-dominant disease characterized by epistaxis in more than 96% of patients. Management of this major symptom, epistaxis, has not been standardized. This study reports experience with topical application of estriol in patients with HHT.

Methods Five patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HHT who first visited the hospital between 2012 and 2013 received 0.1% estriol ointment and were guided to apply the ointment twice daily to the anterior part of both nasal cavities. Severity of epistaxis was valued using epistaxis severity score (ESS) before and 3 months after initiating therapy.

Results Five patients (three males, two females) received treatment. After the initiation of treatment, intensity and frequency of epistaxis became moderate in all patients. ESS decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment (p = 0.043). No adverse events were recorded during follow-up.

Keywords:

• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
• hormonal therapy
• topical estrogen
• epistaxis severity score

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.