Prevalence and etiological causes of sinus headache in 113 consecutive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the prevalence and etiological causes of sinus headache in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients who complained of sinus headache were identified and their presenting symptoms were analyzed in the light of the final diagnosis, after surgical treatment and follow-up. The mean follow-up time for patients with sinus headache was 3.2 months (range, 4-16 weeks). Patients’ responses to treatment were classified under three categories; complete improvement, partial improvement and no response to treatment. Headache resolved completely in nine (34.6%) out of 26 patients diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and complaining of headache, while partial resolution was seen in five (19.2%) and no change in pain in 12 (46.1%). Five patients with partial improvement and 12 patients with no improvement were re-evaluated through consultation with the neurology clinic. Eleven patients were diagnosed with migraine and five with tension type headache. No additional disease to sinusitis was determined in one patient. Sinonasal surgery may be beneficial in patients with primary headaches. We believe that new diagnostic criteria for migraine without aura and tension type headache accompanied by sinonasal pathologies are now needed.