42 Symptoms of Frontal Sinus Disease: Where Is the Evidence?

Zara M. Patel

Abstract

Symptoms of pressure or pain over the frontal sinus region are common, and can be from a vast array of etiologies. Despite the layperson and many primary physicians defaulting to a presumed diagnosis of frontal sinusitis, sinus inflammation or infection is often not the cause. Symptoms in this region can be from sinusitis, primary headache disorders such as migraine, temporomandibular joint disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, and many other sources. The key to effective management of frontal sinus symptoms lies in correct diagnosis and keeping a broad differential until objective evidence such as CT, MRI, and nasal endoscopy can lead the practitioner to the true etiology. Even with correct diagnosis, controversies in management of these symptoms remain.

Key words

frontal sinus - frontal sinusitis - frontal sinus surgery - endoscopic sinus surgery - frontal sinus pain - headache - migraine - neuralgia

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