A case of severe epistaxis with hypertension and arteriosclerosis was treated by embolizing the ipsilateral internal maxillary artery after routine methods of hemostasis had failed. Although epistaxis stopped after embolization, cerebral infarction, hemiplegia and deep coma developed, and the patient died on the ninth postoperative day. We conclude that superselective embolization of the branches of external carotid artery for treating severe epistaxis should be used with great caution or not be used in patients with arteriosclerosis.