Figure 1- Nasogastric tube impingement on nasal turbinates
We believe that the persistent
headache in patients with NG tube is distinctly significant that it
interferes with the physical comfort of patient. It also influences the
sleep patterns, thereby causing repercussions in the emotional
well-being. Patients usually complain of unilateral headache in the
post-operative period, corresponding to the side of nasogastric tube.
The headache as described by the patients is constant, persistent,
unilateral and sleep disrupting. The Pain is not associated with any
sensory loss, with no observed changes in the laboratory or imaging
studies. Notably, the pain typically subsides upon the removal of
nasogastric tube. Head and neck
oncologists being the primary clinicians, it is imperative to consider
the Sluder’s neuralgia in patients with nasogastric tube feeding. This
mandates a prospective study to describe the clinical features and the
treatment of NGT neuralgia.
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