Topical Tranexamic Acid Application to Facilitate Biopsy Acquisition in Endoscopic Nasopharyngeal Biopsy: A Prospective Case Series Analysis
<b>Background:</b> Nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosis requires endoscopic biopsy, but intraoperative hemorrhage frequently impairs visualization and compromises tissue sampling quality. This prospective case series evaluated topical tranexamic acid (TXA) as a hemostatic adjunct to improve biopsy conditions in suspected nasopharyngeal malignancy. <b>Methods:</b> Adults (≥18 years) with clinically/radiologically suspected nasopharyngeal tumors underwent pre-biopsy laboratory screening and exclusion of thromboembolic risk factors. After topical lidocaine anesthesia, a TXA-soaked cotton pledget was applied to the lesion for 10 min prior to forceps biopsy using 0° 4 mm endoscopy. Bleeding severity was graded pragmatically (minimal: ≤3 gauze pledgets; moderate: >3 or cauterization). Comparative analyses excluded rare diagnoses (<i>n</i> = 1). <b>Results:</b> Of 40 enrolled patients, 34 underwent biopsy (mean age 58.4 ± 12.3 years). All 34 biopsies (100%) yielded conclusive histopathological diagnoses. Adequate hemostasis was achieved in 97.1% (33/34), with minimal bleeding in 76.5% and moderate/massive in 23.5%. Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (44.1%) showed higher moderate bleeding rates than other diagnoses (Fisher's exact <i>p</i> = 0.00035). Mean hospitalization was 1.79 ± 1.92 days, uniform across categories. No TXA-related adverse events occurred. <b>Conclusions:</b> Topical TXA provided safe, effective hemostasis during nasopharyngeal biopsy across diverse pathologies, achieving 100% diagnostic adequacy and short hospital stays. Controlled trials comparing TXA versus standard hemostatic techniques are warranted.
Authors
- Mihai Victor Lupascu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2566-1018)
- Viorel Gherghina
- Adrian Paul Suceveanu
- Alexandru Aristide Alexe
- C Grasa
- Haldun Septar
- Iulia Elena Cîndea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9391-2986)
- Anca Pantea Stoian
- Alina Doina Nicoara
- Andra Iulia Suceveanu
Institutions
- Ovidius University (RO)
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-03-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062275
- Primary Topic
- Head and Neck Cancer Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00