Anatomical variations of nose causing rhinogenic contact point headache - A study at a tertiary care hospital of eastern India

Abstract

Introduction: Headache is a common complaint presented by the patients in daily clinical practice. Anatomical variation of the nose may lead to headache due to contact of nasal mucosa. Aim: The aim of this study is to find out the role of different types of anatomical variations of the nose causing contact point headache in a tertiary care hospital. Materi l and me thods: 108 patients of headache with anatomical variations of nose were studied within period of three years. Careful evaluations of anatomical variations of the nose were done with the help of diagnostic nasal endoscopy and CT scan in chronic headache. These anatomical variations were treated surgically. Data from this group were analyzed. Results and discussion: Among 108 patient of rhinogenic contact point headache, nine distinct types of anatomical variations were seen. Different anatomical variations like septal deviation (35.18%), septal spur (26.85%), middle turbinate concha bullosa (23.14%), hypertrophied inferior turbinate (10.85%), medialized middle turbinate (0.92%), large bulla ethmoidalis (1.85%) and septal bullosa (0.92%) were found in patients with contact point headache. All were treated surgically. Treatment of each anatomical contact point was personalized for every patient. Conclusions: Headache is a common clinical entity and is nearly universal in the course of everyone's life. Pressure of two opposing mucosa in the nasal cavity without evidence of inflammation can be a cause of headache or facial pain. There are different anatomical situations leading to rhinogenic contact point headache where each contact point has its own characteristic.