Trauma, sinus disease, and ethmoid hematomas all present with which pattern of epistaxis?

• A. Bilateral
• B. Unilateral
• C. Intermittent
• D. Occult

Answer: (B)

Bleeding patterns from the nose mirror where the problem is located. When trauma, sinus disease, or an ethmoid hematoma affects a specific side, the source of bleeding comes from that same side of the nasal cavity. The blood exits through the corresponding nostril, giving unilateral epistaxis. Bilateral epistaxis suggests a more diffuse or systemic issue rather than a focal lesion, and occult or intermittent patterns imply hidden or irregular bleeding rather than a constant, localized bleed. So these conditions typically present with bleeding from one nostril, i.e., unilateral epistaxis.