Role of Contact Points in Nose as an Etiological Factor for Headache and its Surgical Outcome

Abstract

Mucosal contact headache is a newly added secondary headache disorder in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) supported by limited evidence. Headache is a very frequent symptom, which is the complaint of half of the subjects that come to the physician. The present study was aimed to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of patients with refractory headaches with intranasal mucosal contact points. Headache due to the pressure on nasal mucosa of anatomical variations, nasal polyps, or mucosal swelling in the absence of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is a clinical entity that has gained wide acceptance. Surgical correction of contact points in the nose by functional endoscopic sinus surgery results in relief of chronic headache.  In themes with primary headaches, contact points may be connected with the treatment refractoriness.