Evaluation of the patient with nontraumatic headache: an evidence based approach.
This article reviews the literature on the diagnostic tools available to make a cost-effective yet appropriate diagnosis in the patient with an atraumatic headache in the emergency setting. The tools addressed include a good history and physical examination alone, third-generation CT, lumbar puncture, and MR imaging. The epidemiology and characteristics of the more common primary and secondary causes of headache are also reviewed, allowing the clinician to develop a better pretest probability of disease, and make a more educated decision as to when additional diagnostic testing is needed.
Field
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AG
Division of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Wang
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D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000191:economics; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors