Arterial Blood Supply of the Nose: An Angiographic Study

Abstract

Objective: To define anatomical variations associated with arterial blood supply of the nose which has clinical implications on the management of different disorders, especially intractable posterior epistaxis. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Selective angiography of external and internal carotid arteries of 100 patients scheduled for routine angiography was done. Results: Different anatomical variations were documented. The ophthalmic artery can arise from the middle meningeal artery in 1% while ethmoidal arteries can be absent in 5%. The maxillary artery courses as 2 loops in the pterygopalatine fossa in 64% of cases where the descending palatine artery originates before the first loop or on its top so that caution is needed in controlling epistaxis. The sphenopalatine artery has different patterns of branching and may have more than 2 branches in 18% of cases. In 19% of cases, there is cross-circulation between both sides through the nasal blood supply. Conclusion: Angiographic study of the nose is a very helpful tool for accurate knowledge of anatomical variations of the arteries with a tremendous effect on our surgical approaches and techniques for the management of different diseases in the nasal region, especially intractable posterior epistaxis.