Dull Head Pain days after striking my head

I'm a perfectly healthy 49 year old female (low BP, Low Chstl, Weight in check, no history of disease, etc...).  On Memorial Day I accidently struck the top right portion of my head on an amoire drawer.  I felt fine (no dizziness, headache, nothing), so I continued on with my plans for the day.  The next day I also felt fine.  On Wednesday afternoon I developed a dull headache on the top left portion of my head (opposite side of where I struck it).  I took an Aleve, but the dull ache did not subside... later I took two Extra Strength Tylenol and the pain subsided.  When I awoke Thursday morning, the dull ache was back so I took more Tylenol.  Same thing is going on today (Friday).  Here's the deal, I do have sinus problems (and I know a sinus cavity sits atop of one's head)... I don't want to panic (thinking about what happened to Natasha Richardson) and rush into the ER demanding a Scan/MRI only to find out it's my sinuses acting up.  But with the continual dull headache, no pain on skull with applied pressure, (I do not have any dizziness, naseau, confusion, lost of appetite, etc...) how long can I wait before taking a trip to the ER?  I spoke with my doctor who advised that I visit an E.N.T. (no openings for 2 weks) and wait it out since I'm not having any other symptons.  Is this a good plan to keep popping these Tylenol and awaiting the E.N.T. appointment or severe symptons (which ever comes first) or should I take measures now?

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

After head trauma, a headache could be just due to superficial trauma, like a bruising. However, the concern would be that there has been a small bleed within the skull. The bleed could be outside the brain and its lining, what is termed and epidural hematoma, underneath the lining of the brain (a subdural hematoma) or within the brain itself, what is termed a contusion. With particularly subdural hematoma, because it is a bleed that occurs from vein tearing, the headache and other symptoms may follow several days after the trauma rather than occurring immediately. After head trauma, a headache can occur even without bleeding in the brain, in that case it is benign and will usually resolve after a few days.

Despite your history of sinus problems, evaluation for other causes of your headache, namely your head trauma, is prudent. Evaluation by a general physician is sufficient (you do not need to see a neurologist) and having a scan of the brain done soon is a good idea. A CT scan of the brain is usually sufficient to detect bleeding in the brain. It is a good idea to contact your PCP again and discuss the fact that you had head trauma and a headache following that.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.