title: The aetiology underlying sinus headaches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with sinus headaches usually complain of pain and pressure sensation around the sinuses and periorbital area; most are misdiagnosed with sinusitis and receive unnecessary treatment. This prospective study investigated the aetiology of sinus headache in patients with negative endoscopic or computed tomography (CT) scan findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This multicentre study included patients who could be followed regularly after being admitted to otorhinolaryngology outpatient or emergency units due to sinus headache, in whom endoscopic and radiological examinations did not show sinonasal pathology. The study group comprised patients with primary headache, according to International Headache Society criteria. Participants were followed monthly for 3 months and treatment response was evaluated as complete remission, partial remission or no response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 98 patients. The main reason for diagnosing and treating sinus headaches that arose from neurovascular events was attributed to the accompanying symptoms, e.g. nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and sinus sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of vascular event-derived headaches (especially migraine) and a detailed examination of patients via endoscopy and CT scanning are expected to minimize misdiagnosis rates, in patients with sinus headaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Turkey. mbkaymak@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaymakci
authors.forename: Halil Ibrahim
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Cikriklar
authors.forename: Gunes
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult