My husband has a broken bone spur in his sinus cavity. He has terrible headaches from this. Can this be operated?

Question

Can this be operated on with out risk of death? Where could he go to have this done? And if it cannot surgically be removed is there any relief for him other than narcotics?

Garrett H. Bennett, MD · Answer

This is a well-known syndrome where the septum applies pressure to the lateral walls of the nose causing headaches. It is very treatable by surgery. You can test for it by injecting anesthetic into the area of contact and seeing if the headache spontaneously resolves. When this is the cause for headaches, we have had great success and any thorough otolaryngologist should be able to treat this.

Steven M. Daines, MD, FACS · Answer

The nasal septum is the partition that separates the two nasal passageways. In some patients, a bone spur can be present where the septum and floor of the nose meet. These spurs can be completely asymptomatic, but they can also cause blockage of airflow and even pain or headaches if the spur touches the side wall of the nose. The areas where the septum touches the nasal sidewall are referred to as "contact points."The surgery to correct abnormalities of the septum including bone spurs is called a septoplasty. This procedure is very commonly performed by Facial Plastic Surgeons. If no additional work on the nose is needed, a septoplasty usually takes 30 minutes to an hour and is done as an outpatient. A septoplasty can be combined with a rhinoplasty if cosmetic changes are desired such as an improved profile or refined nasal tip. If a patient has enlarged turbinates contributing to their nasal symptoms, turbinate reductions can also be performed at the time of a septoplasty.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Bone spurs located on the nasal septum are very common and are also noted is a deviated septum. In some patients they can create headaches when the point of the spur isn't impacted in the sidewall of the nose. Removal of the bone spur is routinely performed by an ENT facial plastic surgery  and is considered a septoplasty.

My husband has a broken bone spur in his sinus cavity. He has terrible headaches from this. Can this be operated?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

My husband has a broken bone spur in his sinus cavity. He has terrible headaches from this. Can this be operated?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.