The Hidden Trigger of Migraine: The Role of Intranasal Mucosal Contact Points

Abstract

Background: Intranasal mucosal contact points (MCPs) can exacerbate primary headaches or give rise to secondary headaches. In this study, the prevalence of intranasal MCPs and their relationship with migraine features were investigated in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine.

Methods: Fifty migraineurs were enrolled in the migraine group, and 50 without migraine in the control group in this retrospective study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Headache Impact Scale (HIT-6) scores were retrieved from the patient files. Coronal and axial computed tomography sections were scanned, and intranasal MCP and anatomical variations within these were recorded. The prevalence of MCP was then compared across the 2 groups.

Results: The patient group had a considerably higher prevalence of MCP than the control group (P=.018). No meaningful correlations were detected between mucosal contact and age, sex, migraine aura, menstruation, frequency of migraine attacks, duration of attacks, pain severity (VAS), or the effect of migraine on daily living (MIDAS) and quality of life (HIT-6).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that an increased prevalence of migraine is associated with intranasal mucosal contact, which occurs particularly between the middle concha and septum. Further clinical studies researching the role of intranasal mucosal contact in migraine are now needed.