From: anonymous@aol.com
Subject: Scalp pain
Posted-By: xx108 (ENT Clinic Moderator)
Organization: Organization For Community Networks
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 18:01:15 -0500 (EST)
Newsgroups: ofcn.clinic.ent

Hi there.
I was just reading a case on your site where an AIDS patient had recurring sinus infection accompanied by scalp pain on his right side.
I recently had a sinus infection in which I finally broke down and saw the doctor. I was prescribed an antibiotic and took it for the course of the drug. After taking the drug I feel somewhat better but I still feel pressure in my sinuses and now I have scalp pain in the back of my head. I keep thinking I am going bald, but this may just be my noticing regular hair loss.
Do you think this pain may have anything to do with still having a sinus infection?

Thank you for your time..

Sensory pathways in the head and neck are such that pain caused by a pathologic process in one location may be felt in another location. This is known as referred pain. An example of referred pain that is fairly common occurs with acute tonsillitis where the pain from infected throat and tonsil tissue is felt not only in the throat but also in the ears. Similarly, discomfort or pain from acute sinusitis may be felt in various locations of the skull including the back of the skull.

--

Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis

NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.

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