Joseph Maria, Alvarado Raquel, Jonker Benjamin P, Winder Mark J, Earls Peter, Campbell Raewyn, Kalish Larry H, Sacks Raymond, Davidson Andrew S, McCormack Ann, Harvey Richard J
Rhinology and Skull Base Research Group, Applied Medical Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Department of Neurosurgery, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2023 Mar 20;85(3):247-254. doi: 10.1055/a-2036-0652. eCollection 2024 Jun.
Sellar pathologies are frequently found on imaging performed to investigate headache. However, both headache and incidental sellar lesions are common. Hence, this study prospectively examined headache prevalence, phenotype, and severity in patients with sellar pathologies and the impact of transsphenoidal surgery on headache. Patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of sellar lesions were consecutively recruited. At baseline, participants were defined as having headache or not and headache phenotype was characterized using validated questionnaires. Headache severity was assessed at baseline and 6 months postoperatively using the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS). Tumor characteristics were defined using radiological, histological, and endocrine factors. Primary outcomes included baseline headache prevalence and severity and headache severity change at 6 months postoperatively. Correlation between headache and radiological, histological, and endocrine characteristics was also of interest. Sixty participants (62% female, 47.1 ± 18.6 years) were recruited. Sixty-three percent possessed baseline headache. HIT-6 scores were higher in patients with primary headache risk factors, including younger age (R = -0.417, = 0.010), smoking history (63.31 ± 7.93 vs 54.44 ± 9.21, = 0.0060), and family headache history (68.13 ± 7.01 vs 54.94 ± 9.11, = 0.0030). Headaches were more common in patients with dural invasion (55.70 ± 12.14 vs 47.18 ± 10.15, = 0.027) and sphenoid sinus invasion (58.87 ± 8.97 vs 51.29 ± 10.97, = 0.007). Postoperative severity scores improved more with higher baseline headache severity (HIT-6: R = -0.682, < 0.001, MIDAS: R = -0.880, < 0.0010) and dural invasion (MIDAS: -53.00 ± 18.68 vs 12.00 ± 17.54, = 0.0030). Headaches in sellar disease are likely primary disorders triggered or exacerbated by sellar pathology. These may respond to surgery, particularly in patients with severe headache and dural invasion.
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