Middle Turbinate Headache Syndrome

Abstract

Sinus headaches are attributed to inflammatory disease of the sinus mucosa or ostium. In 1948 H.G. Wolff first recognized that sinus headaches may occur in the absence of inflammatory sinusitis, and may be due to contact between strategic “trigger points” in the sinonasal passages. Since this time there have been sporadic reports of headaches and facial pain due to an enlarged middle turbinate contacting either the septum or lateral nasal wall. It is theorized that an enlarged middle turbinate, most commonly due to pneumatization (concha bullosa), can contact the septum or lateral nasal wall and give headaches referred to the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, the main sensory innervation of the anterior middle turbinate. Middle turbinate headache syndrome is reviewed, with attention to pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. Eight cases of middle turbinate headache will be presented in support of this clinical entity. We hope to alert the clinician to a relatively unknown source of recurrent headaches, that may be readily treated by otolaryngologists.