Directed functional endoscopic sinus surgery and headaches

Sinus headache, migraine, and the otolaryngologist

"Sinus headache" is a common complaint in the otolaryngology office. Recent literature has shown that the majority of patients with this complaint satisfy the diagnostic criteria for migraine. This review article presents an overview of the sinus headache literature, with emphasis on the incidence, identification, and treatment of migraine headache for the otolaryngologist.

Sinogenic Facial Pain: Diagnosis and Management

Most patients who present to an otorhinolaryngology clinic with facial pain and headaches believe they have sinusitis. There is an increasing awareness that neurologic causes are responsible for a large proportion of patients with headache and facial pain. If facial pain and pressure is the primary symptom, it is unlikely to be caused by sinus disease in the absence of any nasal symptoms or signs. Patients with facial pain who have no objective evidence of sinus disease are unlikely to be helped by surgery. Most patients with pain caused by sinusitis respond to medical therapy.