I posted a question last week but can't find it. Teri replied but can't find my original question. If you have a CT scan that is negative for sinus trouble and you can breathe completely fine and your MRI on your head showed no issues is it safe to elminate the sinuses as the source of pain? Both ENT doctors and two neurologist saw no problems with my scans. My neurologist said people that have sinus surgery have it caue they have an issue with breathing, I have no issues with breathing, my sinuses drain fine and not infection. I have so much facial pain so I keep going back to that. But I know migraines and other headaches can cause face pain too. Muscles in the neck like the SCM muscle is known to cause facial pain as well. I would feel stupid having sinus surgery and waking up with the same pain when the scans never showed anything to begin with. Your thougths are much appreciated?
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Q: What to do when MRI and CT scan are negatvie? constant headache/facial pain
Hello again, Todd,
You'd need to confirm this with your doctor, but when a CT of the sinuses is clear, your breathing is clear, and there's no infection, that generally rules out the sinuses as a source of facial pain and headache.
During a Migraine, the trigeminal nerve becomes inflamed, and that can cause a good bit of facial pain. You can see that on this illustration, Pathways of Migraine.
A couple of suggestions:
1) See an orthopedic doctor about the SCM muscle.
2) See a Migraine and headache specialist.It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.
I hope this helps,
Teri
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