Objective: To analyze the ratio of paranasal sinusitis and mastoid air cell pathologies in patients presenting with complaints of headache in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.

Methods: A total of 2750 individuals presenting with complaints of headache and underwent cranial computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging between 2006 and 2010 were included in the present study. Radiological examinations were analyzed for sinusitis and mastoditis.

Results: Mastoid air cells were found to be infected in 211 (7.7%) of 2750 cases included in the study, they were not infected in the remaining 2539 (92.3%) cases. Paranasal sinuses were not infected in 2516 (91.5%) cases and infected in 234 (8.5%) cases.

Conclusion: Contrary to the popular belief, considering sinusitis as the source of headache in a person presenting with such a complaint would not be the right thing to do. Presumed prevalence of sinusitis and mastoiditis in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey is consistent with the data reported in the literature.