Endoscopic surgical treatment for rhinogenic contact point headache: systematic review and meta-analysis

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Jun;278(6):1743-1753. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06724-6. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Abstract

Purpose: This meta-analysis study was designed to analyze endoscopic surgery's role in treating rhinogenic contact point headache.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive review of the last 20 years' English language regarding Rhinogenic contact point headache and endoscopic surgery. We included the analysis papers reporting post-operative outcomes through the Visual Analogue Scale or the Migraine Disability Assessment scale.

Results: We provided 18 articles for a total of 978 RCPH patients. While 777 (81.1%) subjects underwent functional nasal surgery for RCPH, 201 patients (20.9%) were medically treated. A significant decrease from the VAS score of 7.3 ± 1.5 to 2.7 ± 1.8 was recorded (p < 0.0001). At quantitative analysis on 660 patients (11 papers), surgical treatment demonstrated significantly better post-operative scores than medical (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: At comparison, surgical treatment in patients with rhinogenic contact points exhibited significantly better values at short-term, medium-term, and long term follow up. Endoscopic surgery should be proposed as the choice method in approaching the symptomatic patient.

Keywords: Concha bullosa; Endoscopic surgery; Rhinogenic contact point headache; Septal deviation; Septal spur.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopy
  • Headache* / etiology
  • Headache* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders*
  • Nose
  • Pain Measurement