Is frontal pain a useful marker of chronic frontal sinusitis?

Objective: This study evaluates the relationship of frontal pain as a symptom in chronic frontal sinusitis drawing comparisons with radiological and endoscopic findings, quality of life and disease severity. The aim: to determine its utility as a marker in chronic frontal sinusitis and in surgical decision-making. Methods: Prospective study of 51 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients ranked their frontal pain score on a numerical rating scale from 0-10. Facial pain/pressure, SNOT-22, NOSE, Lund-Mackay, and Modified Lund-Kennedy scores were also collated. Statistical analysis: ANOVA and Pearsons correlation coefficient. Results: Frontal pain scores were low and demonstrated no correlation with the extent of frontal sinus disease radiologically or the severity of overall sinus disease endoscopically. Higher frontal pain scores significantly correlated with poorer quality-of-life. Conclusion: We do not support the use of frontal pain as a sensitive or specific marker of chronic frontal sinus disease.