Diagnosis and Office Management of Headaches in Children.

The headaches associated with muscle-contraction (tension) migraine, increased intracranial pressure and occipital neuralgia have a reasonably typical clinical profile. The optimal out-patient diagnostic evaluation of the child with headaches includes a thorough history and physical examination, and a skull x-ray. Radioactive brain scan, cervical spine x-rays, lumbar puncture, and psychiatric consultation are reserved for selected patients. Recommendations for therapy, based on the type of headache includes alleviation of family and environmental stresses, prophylactic anticonvulsant medication and rarely Methysergide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]