[Contradictory indications for rhinosinus surgery in children with rhinogenic headaches]

A A Pogodina1,2, D P Polyakov1,2, A S Yunusov1,2

  • 1National Medical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngology, Moscow, Russia.

Vestnik Otorinolaringologii
|December 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing and treating rhinogenic headache in children is complex. This study reviews current approaches, highlighting the need for better diagnostic criteria and unified treatment algorithms for pediatric rhinogenic headaches.

Area of Science:

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Headache is a prevalent reason for pediatric medical visits.
  • Differentiating primary headaches from secondary rhinogenic pain in children poses significant diagnostic challenges.
  • Current imaging and endoscopic findings do not always align with clinical pain presentation, potentially leading to inappropriate surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze existing contradictions in diagnosing and treating pediatric rhinogenic headaches.
  • To review literature identifying pathogenetic mechanisms of pain in rhinosinusitis and nasal cavity deformities.
  • To emphasize the need for revised diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review.
  • Analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms in rhinosinusitis and nasal cavity contact deformities.
  • Focus on differential diagnosis, surgical criteria, and postoperative management.

Main Results:

  • Current diagnostic methods (imaging, endoscopy) show poor correlation with clinical pain in pediatric rhinogenic headache.
  • Existing treatment strategies often lack clear criteria, leading to unjustified surgical tactics.
  • Literature review identified key areas for improvement in diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

  • A revision of the current approach to pediatric rhinogenic headache diagnosis and treatment is necessary.
  • Implementation of a unified interdisciplinary algorithm for differential diagnosis is crucial.
  • Development of clear criteria for patient selection for surgical intervention is needed to optimize outcomes.

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