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Middle Turbinate Headache Syndrome
Author(s) -
AnselmoLima Wilma Terezinha,
Oliveira José A. A.,
Speciali José Geraldo,
Bordini Carlos,
Santos Antonio Carlos,
Rocha Katianne Vanderley,
Pereira Eduardo Scandiuzzi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1997.3702102.x
Subject(s) - medicine , concha bullosa , septoplasty , turbinectomy , trigeminal nerve , turbinates , surgery , nasal septum , nose , lidocaine , anatomy , sinusitis
The middle turbinate and nasal septum are innervated by the anterior ethmoidal nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. As reported in the classical work of Wolff (1948), stimulation of these regions causes pain in the medial canthus of the supraorbital region. Periorbital pain due to middle turbinate compression against the septum or the lateral wall of the nose may be due to congestion of the nasal mucosa or to pneumatization of the middle turbinate (concha bullosa). The diagnosis is made by exclusion and requires a high index of suspicion, anterior rhinoscopy, computerized tomography (CT), and confirmation by the lidocaine test. We present five cases of middle turbinate headache syndrome, all with contha bullosa. Four were treated surgically by partial middle turbinectomy and septoplasty more than 1 year ago, with excellent results. One patient refused surgical treatment which was suggested after failure of medical treatment with antihistamines, decongestants, and a topical corticosteroid, and continues to be symptomatic. Despite the small number of cases studied, the authors conclude that the procedure used was effective for the resolution of headache.