Sinus headache: changing the treatment paradigm

Abstract

Although the majority of patients with sinus headache do not have rhinosinusitis, many patients will unnecessarily undergo work-up and treatment for rhinosinusitis. This leads to a significant cost burden to the healthcare system. In the era of value-based care, more effective management paradigms need to be developed for sinus headache. Recent efforts to classify nonrhinogenic headache, namely the International Classification of Orofacial Pain, have served as an important step in advancing our understanding of this heterogeneous condition. In addition, a review of the literature points to certain clinical features that may allow for the identification of nonrhinogenic headache based on history. A greater understanding of nonrhinogenic headache as well as innovative tools to differentiate rhinogenic from nonrhinogenic headache are needed to change the paradigm in the management of patients with sinus headache.