Sinusitis in self-described and physician diagnosed patients as sinus headache

Abstract

To know the percentage of sinusitis among patients with self-described and physician
diagnosed as sinus headache, and differentiated from other causes of headache . A prospective study on 500 patients with headache presented with self-described or physician diagnosed as sinusitis, during three years period ( 2008 - 2010) at salah-ELdin governorate. A detailed history aboul the pain and associated nasal symptoms was taken. Anterior rhinoscopy , oropharyngeal and neck examinations, sinus X-ray occipito-mental view for signs of sinus infection was done. The International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria applied for diagnosis of the headache. Thirty patients (6%) were having sinusitis, 24 patients (8%) from patients presented with physician diagnosed, and 6 patients (3%) from patients with self described sinusitis. Migraine was found in 380 patients(76%),Tension-type headache in 70
patients (16%), other secondary headache was (l .6%). cluster headache was (0.8%). Four patients (13%) with sinusitis were found associated other causes of headache. Sinusitis is often over diagnosed. The presence of pain at site of paranasal sinuses. with nasal or ocular symptoms should not immediately diagnosed as sinusitis, Migraine should be excluded. The purulent nasal discharge, and positive radiological findings are important for diagnosis of sinusitis.