1. Neuroimaging and other investigations in patients presenting with headache
- Author
-
Callum Duncan
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pediatrics ,Neurology ,Review Article ,lcsh:RC346-429 ,Neuroimaging ,medicine ,lumbar puncture ,In patient ,Intensive care medicine ,Intracranial Hypotension ,lcsh:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system ,Thunderclap headaches ,neuroimaging ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Lumbar puncture ,business.industry ,raised intracranial pressure ,medicine.disease ,thunderclap headache ,Neurology (clinical) ,Headaches ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Intracranial hypotension ,Primary Headache Disorders - Abstract
Headache is very common. In the United Kingdom, it accounts for 4.4% of primary care consultations, 30% of referrals to neurology services and 0.5-0.8% of alert patients presenting to emergency departments. Primary headache disorders account for the majority of patients and most patients do not require investigation. Warning features (red flags) in the history and on examination help target those who need investigation and what investigations are required. This article summarizes the typical presentations of the common secondary headaches and what neuroimaging and other investigations are appropriate for each headache type.
- Published
- 2012
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