Pneumatized superior turbinate as a cause of headache.
BACKGROUND
A pneumatized superior turbinate is a rare cause of headache. Nasal endoscopy alone, does not provide us with adequate information for this inaccessible area of the superior nasal cavity. A coronal computed tomography (CT) must be obtained to confirm the diagnosis.


METHODS
We present a 40-year-old female with migraine-type headache and nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy revealed a mild septal deviation, a right middle concha bullosa and a paradoxically curved middle turbinate on the left side. Coronal CT-scan showed also the presence of a superior concha bullosa on the left, which was in close contact with the nasal septum. The patient underwent septoplasty and bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery, including partial removal of both the pneumatized middle turbinates in conjunction with gentle lateralization and resection of the lower half of the left superior turbinate. Prompt relief from headache and nasal symptoms was obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumatized superior concha causing migrainous headache is a rare finding. Endoscopic surgery may provide permanent relief of symptoms.
Homsioglou
Elias
E
Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace. Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece. homsioglou@hol.gr
Balatsouras
Dimitrios G
DG
Alexopoulos
Gregory
G
Kaberos
Antonis
A
Katotomichelakis
Michael
M
Danielides
Vassilios
V
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014420:Turbinates / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*