Evaluation and management of "sinus headache" in the otolaryngology practice

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2014 Apr;47(2):269-87. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2013.10.008.

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.

Keywords: Cluster headache; Headache; Migraine; Rhinogenic headache; Tension headache; Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias; sinus headache.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cluster Headache / classification
  • Cluster Headache / diagnosis
  • Cluster Headache / etiology
  • Cluster Headache / therapy
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endoscopy
  • Headache / classification
  • Headache / diagnosis*
  • Headache / etiology*
  • Headache / therapy
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Migraine Disorders / classification
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology*
  • Migraine Disorders / therapy
  • Otolaryngology
  • Rhinitis / classification
  • Rhinitis / complications*
  • Rhinitis / diagnosis*
  • Rhinitis / therapy
  • Sinusitis / classification
  • Sinusitis / complications*
  • Sinusitis / diagnosis*
  • Sinusitis / therapy
  • Tension-Type Headache / classification
  • Tension-Type Headache / diagnosis
  • Tension-Type Headache / etiology
  • Tension-Type Headache / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / classification
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / diagnosis
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / etiology
  • Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias / therapy