Diagnosis and investigation of headache.
BACKGROUND
Headache is one of the commonest medical complaints. It is usually benign but may be the first presentation of serious disease.


OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the symptoms and signs that suggest the diagnosis of the common headaches and discusses which headache presentations require investigation.


CONCLUSIONS
An accurate clinical history is the key to diagnosing the cause of a headache. A new headache of acute onset or progressing over days to weeks or associated with abnormal neurological signs requires investigation.
Neurology Department, Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Vic.
J W
JW
Sturm
G A
GA
Donnan
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis