Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Migraine and intranasal contact point headache: Is there any connection?

  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It has been suggested that contact point can trigger headache in individuals with migraine. In this article, we review the anatomy of the sinonasal cavity. We then define contact points and discuss the pathophysiology of contact point headaches. We propose a theory to explain the relationship between migraines and contact points. We close by presenting our personal casuistic in the surgical treatment of patients with contact point and refractory headaches. In migraineurs with contact point, surgery may improve the headaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society: Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorder, cranial neuralgias, and facial pain, 2nd edition. Cephalagia 2004, 24(suppl 1):1–160. The ICHD-2 is the basis for diagnostic criteria for contact point headaches.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rowbothm GF: Pain pathway in migraine. Br Med J 1942, 2:685–687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Clerico DM: Sinus headaches reconsidered, referred cephalgia of rhinologic origin masquerading as refractory primary headache. Headache 1995, 35:185–192.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Morgenstein KM, Krieger MK: Experience in middle turbinectomy. Laryngoscope 1980, 90:1596–1603.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Goldsmith AJ, Zahtz GD, Stegnjajic A, et al.: Middle turbinate headache syndrome. Am J Rhinol 1993, 7:17–23.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clerico DM, Montgomery L, Lanza DC, Grabo D: Endoscopic sinonasal surgery in the management of primary headaches. Rhinology 1997, 35:98–102.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Parson DS, Batra PS: Functional endoscopic sinus surgical outcome for contact point headache. Laryngoscop 1998, 108:696–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ramadan HH: Nonsurgical versus endoscopic sinonasal surgery for rhinogenic headache. Am J Rhinology 1999, 13:455–457.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Behin F, Bigal M, Lipton RB: Surgical treatment of patients with refractory migraine headaches and intranasal contact points. Cephalalgia 2005, 25:439–443. This article is relevant to our discussion. It explains how a contact point can be one of the factors in refractory or transformed migraine headache.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Goadsby PJ, Lipton RB, Ferrari MD: Migraine: current understanding and treatment. N Engl J Med 2002, 346:257–270.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Brodal A: Neurological Anatomy in Relation to Clinical Medicine, edn 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Goadsby PJ: Headache in Clinical Practice. St. Louis: Mosby; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Uddman R, Malm L, Sundler F: Substance P-containing nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1983, 238:9–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Baumgarten CR: Substance P enhances antigen-evoked mediator release from human nasal mucosa. Peptide 1996, 17:25–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cady RK, Screiber CP: Sinus headache: a clinical conundrum. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2004, 37:267–288.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Martin PR: How do trigger factors acquire the capacity to precipitate headaches? Behav Res Ther 2001, 39:545–554.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Lipton RB: Sumatriptan for the range of headaches in migraine sufferers: results of the Spectrum Study. Headache 2000, 40:783–791.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Cady RK: Sinus headache or migraine? Consideration in making a differential diagnosis. Neurology 2002, 58(suppl 6):S10-S14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fereidoon Behin MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Behin, F., Lipton, R.B. & Bigal, M. Migraine and intranasal contact point headache: Is there any connection?. Current Science Inc 10, 312–315 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-006-0038-7

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-006-0038-7

Keywords

Navigation