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

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.

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

“…So the contact point between intranasal mucosa may be a cause of secondary headache or triggering factor to primary headache. 9 This phenomenon is also called as middle turbinate syndrome. 10 Substance P has a known role in pathophysiology of contact point headache.…”

Cefalea rinogénica ¿mito o realidad?: Displasia fibrosa de cornete medio como causa de algia facial

“…Se debe considerar que la migraña sin aura y la cefalea o algia facial rinogénica pueden ser cuadros clínicos que se presentan en forma simultánea y muchas veces los pacientes son derivados desde neurología a otorrinolaringología o viceversa sin tener un diagnóstico claro. Es importante destacar que independiente de si corresponde a una migraña o exclusivamente a una cefalea de origen nasal, en ambos casos la resección quirúrgica del punto de contacto mucoso sería útil como tratamiento 19,20 . Figura 2.…”

Fronto-turbinalis Sinus Expansion and Headache

“…All individuals were submitted to lateral laminectomy of the pneumatic medium turbinatum using standard tech- [6]. After the pressure had been obtained, the first surgical step was to isolate the anterior portion of the turbinate along a plane parallel to its lamina basalis and then along its superior and inferior side until its complete dissection is done.…”

“…Contact points may be a source of headache itself or may be an exacerbating factor for an already existing primary headache [5,6]. Contact points may happen as a consequence of a myriad of conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, septum deformities, polyposis, and nasal masses.…”