Middle turbinate lateralization: a simple treatment for rhinologic headache.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a minimally invasive method to eliminate the symptoms of contact-point rhinologic cephalgia.


METHODS
A prospective study of 55 patients with chronic nasal or glabellar pain and endoscopically proven nasal origin.


METHODS
All 55 patients in whom endoscopic examination demonstrated a contact point between the middle turbinate and the nasal septum were treated by fracturing the middle turbinate lateralward using a small metal tongue depressor under 10% lidocaine HCL topical anesthesia.


RESULTS
Of the treated cohort, 48 (87%) of the patients had complete clinical symptom resolution after one treatment and all had resolution after two treatments. Recurrence occurred in 1 patient. There were no short-term or long-term adverse sequelae. The results persisted at a mean follow-up time of 50 months (range, 6-84 mo).


CONCLUSIONS
Middle turbinate lateralization is safe and effective in eliminating the symptoms of rhinologic cephalgia induced by contact point between the middle turbinate and nasal septum.
Kunachak
Somyos
S
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. kunachak@bkk.loxinfo.co.th
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*