More Than a Headache: Migraine for the Otolaryngologist, Part 1

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Migraine is a common problem experienced by a large segment of the population. The presence of migraine can mimic or accompany the presentation of common otolaryngologic complaints such as sinus pain, headache, otalgia, vertigo, aural fullness, fluctuating hearing loss and unusual postoperative pain. Many patients experience migraine in ways that exacerbate symptoms from their otolaryngologic problems or suffer migraine symptoms triggered by their otolaryngologic problems and will benefit from migraine therapy. Unfortunately, only patients with severe or debilitating classic migraine tend to receive significant attention from their primary physicians or from neurologists who treat the majority of migraineurs in this country. This course seeks to fill a gap in otolaryngology training by acquainting the practicing Otolaryngologist with an update on the pathophysiology of migraine and will present sound treatment strategies for patients who have migraine headache and atypical Otolaryngic manifestations of migraine. Part 1 covers epidemiology, pathophysiology, vestibular migraine, Meniere's disease and otalgia as related to migraine. Part 2 covers BPPV, tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, sinus headache and migraine treatment.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Understand the difference between migraine syndrome and migraine headache.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Understand recent discoveries regarding the generation of otolaryngic symptoms by migraine headache.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Become familiar with sound treatment strategies to decrease migraine symptoms and migraine headache.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: This 2h course has represented the consistent go-to source of up-to-date information on migraine management for the otolaryngologist. It works hard to present an outline of pathophysiology of migraine and migraine treatment that otolaryngologists of all subspecialties can use.