Papers of the Week

The aspects of disruption of venous blood outflow from face region into skull are well-known; they can occur at any age – from neonatal to old age, however, the possible compensation mechanisms for such disorders are usually difficult to identify. A description is given of a unique case of unilateral epistaxis and a homolateral (right-sided) headache that developed much later. Examination revealed hypoplasia of the left sigmoid sinus and blood overflow of the right sigmoid sinus. After prescription of betahistine in a dose of 24 mg before bedtime and after awakening the headache and nosebleeds disappeared on the second day. The effect was persistent. The case demonstrates previously unknown compensation mechanisms for venous outflow – a retrograde outflow from the skull to the face region.