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Can A Sphenoid Retention Cyst Cause Debilitating Pressure Headaches?
Question: Can a 1 cm sphenoidal retention cyst cause these debilitating pressure headaches when I'm not having any congestion, sore throat, cough, etc.?
I'm a 37 yr old female, had a c6-7 total arthroplasty in 2013, discovered a multi nodular goiter around the same time that a "focal lesion in the skull base in the region of the sphenoid sinus" showed incidently on a cervical mri, follow up ct scan this year showed mucosal wall thickening measuring .4x.9 cm. Otherwise healthy. i smoked cigarettes for 18 years, quit for a year and a half to have my neck surgery, now occasionally enjoy a cigarette.
Due to many sinus and ear infections in recent years, which i never had before, coupled with the unending pressure headache I've had now for 5 weeks, she gave me a 10 day course of doxycyclene and a prednisone pack, helped for a couple days after, then sent me to get a ct scan.
She seems to be sure it's not cancer, and that's great, but I don't seem to be effectively communicating to her that the reason I went to see her is this terrible headache. so now that she's convinced I won't be dying of a sphenoidal tumor, I'm dead in the water.
Oh, and should I contact my neurosurgeons who did my arthroplasty about all this? I never even considered neuro problems...
I'm a 37 yr old female, had a c6-7 total arthroplasty in 2013, discovered a multi nodular goiter around the same time that a "focal lesion in the skull base in the region of the sphenoid sinus" showed incidently on a cervical mri, follow up ct scan this year showed mucosal wall thickening measuring .4x.9 cm. Otherwise healthy. i smoked cigarettes for 18 years, quit for a year and a half to have my neck surgery, now occasionally enjoy a cigarette.
Due to many sinus and ear infections in recent years, which i never had before, coupled with the unending pressure headache I've had now for 5 weeks, she gave me a 10 day course of doxycyclene and a prednisone pack, helped for a couple days after, then sent me to get a ct scan.
She seems to be sure it's not cancer, and that's great, but I don't seem to be effectively communicating to her that the reason I went to see her is this terrible headache. so now that she's convinced I won't be dying of a sphenoidal tumor, I'm dead in the water.
Oh, and should I contact my neurosurgeons who did my arthroplasty about all this? I never even considered neuro problems...
Brief Answer:
A solitary cyst in the sphenoid sinus may not cause pressure headaches...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query
I have gone through the history thoroughly and understood your problem. I will try my best to help you with this problem.
Blockage of the sphenoid sinus gives rise to headache in the region of vertex and back of the head. Pressure in the forehead is not due to sphenoidal sinusitis. Most of the patients will be asymptomatic even with blocked sphenoidal sinus. A solitary cyst in the sinus usually does not cause any complications. You would require steroid nasal spray, a mucolytic, saline nasal spray and steam inhalation for the treatment of the same.
I would suggest you to consult an apt ENT specialist for a complete evaluation and management.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
A solitary cyst in the sphenoid sinus may not cause pressure headaches...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query
I have gone through the history thoroughly and understood your problem. I will try my best to help you with this problem.
Blockage of the sphenoid sinus gives rise to headache in the region of vertex and back of the head. Pressure in the forehead is not due to sphenoidal sinusitis. Most of the patients will be asymptomatic even with blocked sphenoidal sinus. A solitary cyst in the sinus usually does not cause any complications. You would require steroid nasal spray, a mucolytic, saline nasal spray and steam inhalation for the treatment of the same.
I would suggest you to consult an apt ENT specialist for a complete evaluation and management.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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