Abstract
Management of nutritional needs is of paramount importance in cancer
patients and nasogastric feeding is the most common method. Nasal cavity
being a richly innervated region, is also a hallway for the exposure of
the same to external environment. Any trauma or pressure to these nerve
endings result in unilateral headache mimicking Sluder’s neuralgia.
Nasogastric tube may irritate the nasal mucosa and exert pressure on the
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. 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’.