Evaluation of nasal and paranasal findings in cases of migraine

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate nasal and paranasal findings in cases of migraine. Background Migraine triggers are abundant, and anatomical nasal variations like septal spur, concha bullosa, and hypertrophied inferior turbinate may be considered as important trigger factors for migrainous headache by mucosal contact according to the trigeminovascular theory as a proposed mechanism for migraine. Patients and methods This was an observational cross-sectional study comparing 60 patients with migraine versus 40 normal participants with neither migraine nor nasal presentations. History was taken to define the type of migraine and its severity according to Migraine Disability Assessment Score. Computed nasal and paranasal tomography scan, diagnostic nasal endoscopy, and nasal decongestant test were done for all of them to diagnose nasal and paranasal findings in both groups and to confirm mucosal contact points in migraineurs. Results There was a significant increase in overall septal, turbinate, and mucosal findings in case group compared with control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding septal spur, concha bullosa, and abnormal nasal mucosa, being more prevalent in the case group. The most common contact point was between the septum and middle turbinate, with a nonsignificant correlation between the type of contact point and severity of migraine. Conclusion The presence of nasal findings in migraineurs was significantly associated with triggering of migraine through contact point mechanism. The significant findings were septal spur, concha bullosa, and abnormal nasal mucosa, with the most common contact point being between the septum and middle turbinate.