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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Maxillary Sinus Cyst Surgery & Clusters
        
(Message started by: jasonreina on Dec 17^th, 2006, 6:25pm)

Title: Maxillary Sinus Cyst Surgery & Clusters
Post by jasonreina on Dec 17^th, 2006, 6:25pm

Alright - I'll make this short and sweet - I am looking for anyone who has had a similar experience...

I had my first cluster at 14 and am now 26. I had headaches every year (sometimes twice a year) until December 2004 when I had a surgery that I thought had changed my life.

My neurologist did a CT scan - http://jasonreina.com/CT.jpg - of my head in Nov 2004 and found a cyst in my maxillary sinus. They said that there was a small chance that the cyst, which filled the entire cavity, could be pushing on the nerve responsible for triggering clusters. Of course, the thought of even the most REMOTE chance this would help was a very easy decision for me to make.

The night before the surgery, I had the last headache I would have for the next two years. I had surgery to remove the very large cyst, and the relief was instant. That was December of 2004... guess who's back? And they are back with the same intensity, if not more, as ever.

Anyone have similar surgery and told that it could yield similar results? My new neuro told me that it was all just coincidental, but I think it's more than that.

Any stories?

-Jason
Addison, TX

Title: Re: Maxillary Sinus Cyst Surgery & Clusters
Post by floridian on Dec 18^th, 2006, 2:23pm

Haven't had the surgery, but have some structural problems. Early studies on sinus surgery and CH were very hit and miss - some claimed it help some, many found no relief. Here's an interesting study that suggests a link, but not for everyone.

Quote:

1: Laryngoscope. 2003 Dec;113(12):2151-6.
Endonasal surgery for contact point headaches: a 10-year longitudinal study.

* Welge-Luessen A,
* Hauser R,
* Schmid N,
* Kappos L,
* Probst R.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Basel, Kantonsspital, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. awelge@uhbs.ch

OBJECTIVE: Some migraine and cluster headaches may be triggered by stimulation of intranasal contact points via the trigeminovascular system. Endonasal surgery is successful in some patients, but long-term outcomes have not been reported. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: This investigation included 20 patients with a mean 18-year history of refractory cluster or migraine headaches who were selected for surgery. All had endoscopically visible endonasal contact as well as a positive preoperative cocaine test result. Changes in pain severity and frequency and duration of headache attacks were statistically rated using a MANOVA. Follow-up averaged 112 months. RESULTS: Almost 10 years after surgery, six patients remained completely free of pain, seven had significant symptom improvement, and seven received no benefit from surgery (65% improvement). Two patients had been free of all symptoms for 7 and 8 years, respectively, before complaints returned. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that some patients with refractory headaches and endonasal contact areas benefit from surgery, thereby supporting the existence of a connection between the two. Even though it is clear that surgery should be considered only if all other treatments have failed, a success rate of 65% over almost 10 years justifies evaluation of this option. Preoperative patient selection remains crucial and warrants further investigation.

Title: Re: Maxillary Sinus Cyst Surgery & Clusters
Post by JJA on Dec 19^th, 2006, 9:07am

Was that your first cycle that ended at the time of the surgery? If not, is 2 years a longer than your usual remission?

I've read that sinus cysts often return so you may want to look in to that since there's a possibility of more relief.

Title: Re: Maxillary Sinus Cyst Surgery & Clusters
Post by Gena on Dec 19^th, 2006, 11:51am

I had a surgery to remove a cyst as well...

I thought it worked but a year and a half later my headaches were back.

I then had braces put on my teeth and went in to remission for 2 years ::)

It was after that 2 year brake when I finally got dx with CH.

I am with your doc. it was coincidental, I would still have it checked.