New research 856: Sinus Headache a myth?

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2014 Apr;47(2):269-287. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2013.10.008.

Evaluation and Management of "Sinus Headache" in the Otolaryngology Practice.

Patel ZM1, Setzen M2, Poetker DM3, Delgaudio JM4.

Author information 1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.3Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Zablocki VAMC, Milwaukee, WI, USA.4Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Abstract

Patients, primary care doctors, neurologists and otolaryngologists often have differing views on what is truly causing headache in the sinonasal region. This review discusses common primary headache diagnoses that can masquerade as "sinus headache" or "rhinogenic headache," such as migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, tension-type headache, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, giant cell arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis) and medication overuse headache, as well as the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, including cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, and hemicrania continua. Diagnostic criteria are discussed and evidence outlined that allows physicians to make better clinical diagnoses and point patients toward better treatment options.

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